Tributes to well-kent face of Moray's farming industry
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FOND tributes have been paid to a well-kent face in Moray farming circles after his death this week.
Agricultural salesman Jimmy Carr, from Hopeman, passed away sooner than his family had expected, on Monday, August 17, from an aggressive cancer. He was 77.
Jimmy retired 16 years ago as a widely respected farming industry figure after a career with SAI (Scottish Agricultural Industries) and Moray Barley Company, now Scotgrain.
Throughout his years supplying farmers Moray-wide with agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, seed and feed, Jimmy formed working relationships that went beyond purely business to become solid and enduring friendships.
In his retirement years Jimmy kept up with many of the local farmers he had got to know through his work.
His widow, Pat, said: "The job was Jimmy's life.
"He travelled all over Moray with his work, from Tomintoul, to along the coast, and was known everywhere.
"Many of the folk he came into contact with treated him as a friend and some kept in touch with him well into his retirement.
"He was an awful lad for jokes and was very well thought of."
Originally from New Byth, Jimmy started his career in the industry in Aberdeen in 1959 as a clerk before going on the road with SAI, spending 36 years with the company before it folded. He spent the remainder of his career with Moray Barley Company and Scotgrain.
Jimmy's former SAI and Scotgrain boss, Malcolm Young, from Dingwall, said: "The Moray merchanting industry has lost a very important 'cog in the wheel'.
"The main areas Jimmy covered were Grantown and Speyside, though he was very well known and liked in the farming industry throughout Moray.
"With Jimmy going it's the passing of an era."
Jimmy's former Scotgrain colleague, Ian Abbott, from Rafford, described him as a likeable character who always put his farmers first.
He said Jimmy together with fellow well-regarded salesman David Kelman formed a "wonderful dynamic duo" who covered all of Moray for Scotgrain before Mr Kelman's retirement in 1985. Mr Abbott said that "the two were SAI in the north of Scotland".
Mr Abbott recalled one work day which, he said, summed up Jimmy's special knack for getting along with his customers.
He said: "Jimmy was out on business at an Archiestown farm at about 11am. He was invited into the farmer's house for some lunch. They got chatting some more and went through to the living-room where there was a roaring fire, still chatting. Jimmy fell asleep in front of the fire. He eventually left around 5pm. The farmer's wife didn't have the heart to wake him up.
"I think the story says so much about Jimmy and the great relationships and trust he built up with people."
As well as wife Pat, Jimmy leaves behind three children and three grandchildren. His funeral will be held on Monday, August 24.
