James Dawson

Mr Dawson, always known as Jim, worked for Woodheads, the largest independent seed growers and merchants in the UK, for 47 years, rising from warehouse boy to director and becoming a very well-known figure in Yorkshire agricultural circles.

Jonathan Woodhead, managing director of the company, formed in 1801 and the seventh generation of the family, said: "The company is in the excellent state it is in today because of the inspiration, business acumen and determination of Jim.

"He played a very large part in building up the company over his 47 years with us, mainly through the excellent relationships he developed with customers.

"The farmers in Yorkshire and their families loved him and he delighted in selling seed to different generations of numerous farming families. He knew them all personally and took a detailed interest in their lives.

"This, his good Yorkshire commonsense and his business perception was invaluable both to the company and clients. He was universally respected throughout the trade."

Mr Dawson, born in Leeds on May 1, 1936 – his father, Frank, was also a corn merchant –- was educated at Ashville College, Harrogate. He left aged 17 and the next day (having been out to buy a new suit) his father marched him down to the offices of Woodheads Seeds in Leeds where he was set to work immediately, sweeping the dusty floors of the warehouse (new suit and all)!

He spent two years doing his National Service in the Army, mainly in Germany but apart from those years the whole of his working life was with Woodheads.

He met his wife Margaret on a blind date on New Year's Eve, 1959 and they were married in St Aiden's Church, Harehills, on June 1, 1959 and lived in Alwoodley, Boston Spa, Bilborough, Kirk Deighton and latterly Spofforth.

While family and work were very important to Mr Dawson, he was also noted for the number of great friendships he built up over the years. His sense of fun and well being were a great source of comfort on many occasions when help and advice were quietly given and when you were in his company all seemed well in the world.

He was a keen Leeds United supporter for many years and an extremely enthusiastic tennis player, travelling over to York nearly every Wednesday afternoon to play with a group of friends who he referred to as "our geriatric four".

Mr Dawson leaves his wife Margaret, daughter Jane, son Christopher and four grand-

children, Georgie, Joe, Sam and Ben.

The funeral was held at Spofforth Parish Church and Mr Dawson left some thoughts for the service which, he said, he wanted to be "bright, not miserable – and remember I'm watching!"