David Crockett was ‘a good man, a lovely man’

Hundreds upon hundreds of people lined the route while observing social distancing on Friday afternoon as mourners made their way to Burt Presbyterian Church in Donegal for the private service.

Reverend Jim Lamont told those gathered for the service that they met this day “in this house of deep sadness”.

“We meet here as a family to give thanks for the life of David, a life that meant so much to so many different people; and you all will have your own very special memories and will have your own special reason for giving thanks today that his life touched on yours,” Rev Lamont said.

David Crockett - who was well known locally - died following a tragic accident at his farm on the border at Coshquin last Monday.

Rev. Lamont told those gathered: “David’s death has been such a shock to the whole community – and I know that Margaret and his family and the family circle are living in a state just completely shattered, stunned by the enormity of what happened here on Monday afternoon.

“It will take them a long time to come to terms with what has happened but I know that they will be surrounded by the love of this community in which David was so highly regarded and respected, He was just a man who was loved, respected and had a great sense of humour.

“He was a dedicated family man first and foremost, but we are all in sorrow because he was a man with a warm personality and kind nature who stood ready to help anyone who needed help.”

As a member of the farming community, Rev Lamont added, Mr Crockett was held in high regard by the whole farming community as someone who was always ready to help whenever he was needed. “He was a faithful member of Burt church and of the choir. I always met him coming into church and he always had some little story or something to joke about. He was just an amazing person - one of life’s characters,” Rev Lamont said, adding that in 50 years as a minister, he didn’t know how many funerals services he had conducted but that he has never experienced one like this “where tributes have come from so many parts of the country and from much wider afield”.

“He was just a good man, a lovely man; a man who truly lived out his faith in his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the one he served so faithfully. We come here today to surround Margaret, Gordon, Lewis and Rebecca with our prayers and our love,” he added.