Appreciation: Ross Paton

Dundee solicitor Ross Paton, described as the life and soul of any party, has died aged 71.

Born James Kinross Paton but known as Ross, he died suddenly on 13 October 2020 at his adopted home of Insh.

Raised in the West End before later moving to Broughty Ferry, he was educated at the High School of Dundee. He was a member of the school’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and became Pipe Sergeant. He also played rugby at school and for Dundee HSFP as an adult.

Mr Paton read law at Dundee University. He qualified as a solicitor at Shiell & Small in Dundee before joining J&J Scrimgeour.

In the early 1980s he joined the Fiscal Service, initially in Perth before becoming depute procurator fiscal for Dundee.

Remaining in his post until 1988, he then joined Shield & Kyd as a partner, managing the Arbroath office for 25 years until the merger with Lindsays LLP.

His career took him to the Dundee office on Bank Street and he retired as a partner in 2013-14, remaining as a consultant until December 2017 in their new Seabraes office.

His military experience saw him rise to become Acting Major in the 51st Highland Volunteers A Company (Black Watch).

He held the role of session clerk at Roseangle Ryehill Church (now Dundee West) on Perth Road for 40 years, retiring in December 2019. He was also in the church choir for 55 years as well as Vice President of Dundee Choral Union for just under 20 years and a member of the choir for 50 years.

He was a past President of both the Dundee Round Table and the High School of Dundee Old Boys Club, as well as a member of Dundee Rotary Club and former chairman of the Tayside Solicitors Property Centre.

Predeceased by his first wife Glenys in 2011, whom he married in 1979, he is survived by children David and Susie, and three grandchildren. His second son, Andrew, died in 1997 aged 13.

Mr Paton leaves behind second wife Kate, whom he married in 2018.

David Paton