TRIBUTES have been paid after a church minister who served in Port Glasgow for more than 20 years passed away at the age of 91.

Reverend David Gordon died peacefully in Crosshouse Hospital on October 14 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

He moved to Port Glasgow in May 1960 from Sanquhar and became minister of the West Church in Brown Street and also served as moderator of the Greenock Presbytery and as a shipyard chaplain

He remained at the church for 22 years before moving to the Parish of Gigha and Cara.

David retired in 1988 to Largs and then spent his final years as a very happy resident in the Church of Scotland Care Home in Ardrossan.

In 1983 after David’s departure the West Church united with St Andrew’s Church in Port Glasgow.

Session clerk at the church, Robert Guthrie, who served under him, described him as a 'lovely man'.

He said: “I knew David very well and served in the West Church under him.

"He baptised my two daughters and was a friend to all.

“David was a quiet man and along with his beloved wife Mary faithfully served the congregation of the West Church and the town of Port Glasgow for 22 years.

“He served in many committees of the former Greenock Presbytery and was interim moderator to many churches in the area during vacancies.

“He will be sadly missed by many of the congregation of St Andrew’s Church in Port Glasgow, which West Church united with in 1983, as well as all those he gave pastoral assistance to in Port Glasgow.”

David is survived by his son Andrew Gordon, 63, and daughter Sheila Jamieson, 64.

Andrew recalls his father enjoying his time in Inverclyde, where he was also a part-time chaplain in Lithgows.

Andrew said: “My dad spent 22 years at West Church and was well known in the area.

"He spoke fondly of his time here and we would like to invite anyone who knew him to attend the funeral.”

*Rev Gordon's funeral will be held on Monday at 2pm at Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium, A760 Largs, Kilbirnie, Dalry, KA24 5LE. For details contact William Tyre & Son Funeral Directors on 01475673133.