Former lecturer and artist Gordon enjoyed the great outdoors

FORMER assistant principal of Dundee College, Gordon S Laird, has died at the age of 94.

Gordon was born in Dundee in 1929. Raised by his grandparents in Lochee, he attended Ancrum Road Primary School and then Harris Academy before moving on to Dundee Art College in Bell Street.

At college he specialised in drawing and painting but turned his hand to ceramics and sculpture.

After graduating, he joined Valentine’s, spent some time as a freelance illustrator, then trained as a teacher.

Gordon taught at various Dundee schools before joining the then commercial college as the sole art teacher.

When the new building moved to Constitution Road, it was from there that Gordon painted the townscape Dei Donum which now hangs in the McManus.

When he was not teaching, Gordon loved hillwalking, spending many days in the Cairngorms.

Over the years, Gordon was a popular and in-demand public speaker, and a dab hand at Burns suppers.

As a member of the Nine Trades he was for some time the Keeper of the Lockit Book and often spoke at their dinners.

His speaking engagements continued after his retirement in 1993, as did his art.

After his retirement, Gordon moved to Kellas He enjoyed life there, working in his garden, hosting family gatherings, and welcoming friends old and new.

Gordon loved his home city, and could be relied on to work for it.

From paintings of DRI, Harris Academy and Maggie’s Centre to be sold to raise funds, to speaking at many Dundee gatherings, to helping students, he was an ambassador for the city.

Gordon is survived by his wife Sheena, son Calum, daughter Shona, daughter-in-law Liddy, son-in-law Jock, and four grandchildren, Duncan, Catriona, Mairi, and Ruairidh.

Gordon S Laird was an artist and public speaker.