The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘That driving force now is still’: Sir Arnold Clark laid to rest
Friends and family gather to remember ‘proud son of Glasgow’
Hundreds of family, friends and employees of motoring tycoon Sir Arnold Clark gathered for his funeral.
More than 500 people attended the service at Glasgow Cathedral yesterday, including leading Scottish businessmen Sir Tom Hunter, Sir Tom Farmer and Boyd Tunnock.
Former first minister Jack McConnell and Glasgow Provost Sadie Docherty were also in attendance to pay their respects to the “proud son of Glasgow”.
Sir Arnold was described as an “inspiration” by his family after he passed away on April 10 at the age of 89.
Many mourners wore Arnold Clark company ties and buses had been put on to bring staff from around the country to the funeral.
The Rev Laurence Whitley led the service, which he said “closes a chapter and an era in a life he made his own”.
The minister added: “The road of his life was a long one and we look back with pride. That driving force now is still.”
Sir Arnold’s sons John and Adam gave a eulogy, describing how their father started his business by using his RAF demob money in 1965 to buy a Morris Ten Four for £70, which he restored and sold on for a profit.
He soon opened the first Arnold Clark showroom in Glasgow’s Park Road, going on to establish hire car schemes, repair centres, franchises and a car finance and insurance business over the next decades.
Sir Arnold was knighted in 2004 for services to the motor industry.
Adam said his father enjoyed boats almost as much as cars and was “his most relaxed” at the helm of a yacht and with his beloved wife, Lady Philomena Clark.
He added: “He knew all his employees by name and if you worked for Arnold Clark, you were one of the family.”
A private family burial was held in Killearn after the funeral.