Parents lead tributes to Earlston teenager

David Knox • Published 20 Jan 2012 09:30 0 Comments

IT was a tragedy that rocked a close-knit community on New Year's Day.

On Thursday Earlston said its farewells to teenager Scott Johnston.

The 18-year-old was a passenger in a car which crashed just a few miles from his home.

Friends, neighbours, and work colleagues joined Scott's extended family in the Parish Church to remember a boy who had touched, and brought pleasure to, their lives. More than 500 turned up to pay their final respects.

Prior to the service Scott's dad, Alan, described his son: "You couldn't have asked for a nicer boy. Scott saw the good in everyone - and everyone saw the good in him."

An illness as a baby, which required doses of chemotherapy and a major operation, led to Scott being smaller than the other boys. But what he lacked in stature he made up for in spirit - both on and off the football pitch.

Scott attended Earlston Primary and Secondary where he made lifelong friends throughout both schools.

He came through the age-group ranks at both Earlston and Lauder football clubs.

And had only just started playing for the Border Amateur side, Earlston Rhymers. Many of his team-mates were amongst the congregation on Thursday.

Alan added: "He was always slight in stature because of his chemotherapy but over the past year he matured into a strong, tall young man. He'd become taller than me and it helped with his football."

A love of football was shared with a passion for his car. Mum Lynda told us: "You never had to worry about Scott. He was so careful when he was driving and never took risks.

"He was such a nice boy that went out of his way to be as nice as he could to everyone. He loved nothing more than being at home with his family in his armchair playing Fifa or lying across the couch watching football with a bottle of Irn Bru.

"I can't think of a single person who had a bad word to say about Scott."

After leaving school Scott landed his perfect job as an apprentice agricultural engineer with Lloyd Ltd on Kelso's Spylaw Road. He also attended Reaseheath College, near Crewe.

Lloyd's closed throughout Thursday to allow for staff to pay their respects to Scott, with over 50 colleagues from the company and the college attending his service.

Following the funeral service, Scott was laid to rest in the town's cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Alan and Lynda, 16-year-old brother Ryan and 14-year-old sister Becky.

The family would like to give a special thanks to everyone who attended Scott's service, as well as those who gave heartfelt readings and poems, and also thanks to Rev Julie Woods for her words of comfort and to undertakers Robbie and Jacqueline Brown.

A total of £1924.51 was raised for Ward 2 of the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital at Scott's service.

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 24 Jan 12

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