OBITUARY - Donald J Malcolm, Chairman

Donald J Malcolm, Chairman
W H Malcolm Limited, Haulage Contractor
Born: 16th April, 1925
Died: 3rd May, 2003

Donald Malcolm, the Chairman and founder of W H Malcolm Limited died peacefully at his home in Brookfield, on Saturday, 3rd May, 2003. He had been diagnosed with cancer of the tongue some 17 years ago, but typically of the man, had courageously fought the disease to the end.

Born in Johnstone, he left school at 13 and began by delivering coal to the Johnstone area with one horse and cart and one lorry. The depots then expanded to the Paisley area, then Glasgow and now cover 22 locations all over Britain including Preston and Rugby.

In 1960 he sold the fleet of 37 vehicles and 7 items of Plant to Grampian Holdings Limited. Then the profits were £40,000, in last year's accounts they were £8,000,000. A lovely story is told that when the city folk from London arrived to discuss the take-over they were given tea and cakes by Donald's mum on the kitchen table of the house and left, according to them, paying twice as much as they had expected - Donald obviously inherited his negotiating skills from his Mum. He became Managing Director and ultimately Chairman of W H Malcolm Limited. He was also until recently a Director of the main Grampian Board.

A keen supporter of the Young Farmers organisation, he met his wife Wilma at a dance in Kilmarnock and they were married in 1957. He was Honorary President of the West Renfrew Young Farmers. He also helped and was the main contributor to the Lillias Day parade in Kilbarchan each year.

For almost 65 years, Donald Malcolm was W H Malcolm. His contribution to the company and the area were immense. Many families in the Johnstone/Paisley area had grandparents, parents and children all employed at some stage by the company. This Donald fostered as he liked nothing better than knowing who so and so's father, mother, sister and probably girlfriend was. The well-being of his employees was important to Donald both inside and outside of work and this was repaid by the loyalty of his staff many of whom have been with the company for years.

His work was his hobby and by the very nature of haulage no matter where he was some driver would be stopped to find out what he was up to. From a driver's viewpoint, he had the unhappy knack of being in the wrong place at the right time and would appear from nowhere to offer a few words of advice to some unsuspecting driver taking a break. Long before mobile phones were invented, the two-way radio was shouted down on many occasions to hurry drivers along! The phrase "he called a spade a spade" could not be more appropriate in Donald's case although usually embellished with some colourful adjectives.

His achievements in the transport industry were recognised in 2002 when he was awarded an Industry Life Time Achievement Award.

He could not be described as being of an angelic disposition and was never afraid to say what he thought, no matter whether speaking to a driver or a city gent. Many people have been on the receiving end of some harsh words but at the end of the day he was probably right in what he said - and the great thing was he would leave it at that and usually made a joke about it later in the day.

Hard work, humour and common sense were his hallmarks and many a family are grateful for his help, quietly and thoughtfully given in some time of need. His word was his bond, his handshake a commitment, his memory uncanny and his humour refreshing. The memories of his life will bring many happy and humorous moments in the future to all those privileged enough to have known him.

A family man throughout nothing gave him greater pleasure than seeing his two sons continuing and expanding the business.

Donald is survived by his wife, Wilma, his children, Wilma, Marion, Walter and Andrew, his sons and daughters-in-law, his 13 Grandchildren and his sisters, Agnes and Morag.

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