Loving tributes have been paid to a lifelong wrestling fan who will be laid to rest next week.
Steven Paton, 80, passed away from a short illness in Hairmyres Hospital on April 23 surrounded by his family and friends.
Paying tribute to the "loving husband, dad, papa, great-papa and great-great papa" this week, his heartbroken daughter Theresa Paton said that the family can "take comfort" knowing that Steven is now back together with their late mother Margaret who died in 2015.
A keen bowler with an impressive collection of trophies and an avid fishing fan, Steven was best known for his passion for wrestling, particularly East Kilbride-based company British Championship Wrestling (BCW).
Incredibly, in its 20 year history, the Calderwood man never missed a show, despite his ailing health. And Steven and his son David were considered VIPs with front row seats reserved for them at every show.
Steven even ended up starring in many a show, with BCW's wrestling stars stealing his walking stick as part of the entertainment.
Theresa said: "Steven loved a good laugh, Jim Reeves and watching television. He was a keen bowler and won many trophies over the years whilst he was a member of St Leonards Bowling Club.
"He also loved many a fishing trip where he always managed to catch the biggest fish. But his true passion was BCW Wrestling. Steven absolutely loved wrestling, it was his whole life. He attended every BCW show from the very start, which spanned period of 20 years. He was accompanied by his son David for 20 years and was later joined by myself.
"He often became involved in shows where the wrestlers borrowed his walking sticks to use on each other. His experience was enhanced further when he managed to get his photo taken with some of the wrestlers."
Paying tribute to the local legend, BCW boss Graham McKay told Lanarkshire Live: "Everyone involved in British Championship Wrestling were devastated to hear of Steven's passing.
"Steven and his son David had attended every BCW show for 20 years and had the exact same seats all those years. He held a very close place in my performers' hearts where he would regularly offer his walking stick as a weapon for the good guy to hit the bad guy.
"It simply will not be the same without him, it really has hit me hard as he had became part of the BCW East Kilbride family. Everybody recognised him, he was loved by so many wrestlers. We will be keeping his seat empty for our next event in the Ballerup Hall on June 9 with a picture of Steven on it in memory of him.
"He constantly told me how proud he was of me and what I had achieved and he will remain in my heart forever."
Steven is survived by his four children David, Steven, Veronica, Magaret Anne and Theresa, eight grandchildren Cheryl, Alan, Mark, Brian, Nicholas, Daryl, Lisa and Brian, six great grandchidren Ada, Briana, Grace, Caitlin, Sean and Lauren and two great-great grandchildren Jordan and Romie.
A receiving mass will be held at St Leonards Church on Wednesday, May 10 at 6pm followed by a funeral mass in the church on Thursday, May 11, at 10am. Steven will be laid to rest at East Kilbride Cemetery where mourners will continue on to the Torrance Hotel in East Kilbride to remember Steven.
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