Tributes have been paid to a Scottish journalist who died after taking voluntary redundancy earlier this year as part of a series of job cuts.

Ron Bowie spent 36 years working for the Daily Record and was also a leading National Union of Journalists activist in Scotland for 40 years.

Ron, who died in hospital at the age of 62 after a short illness, had worked as a sub-editor and later as a copy taster at the Record before taking voluntary redundancy earlier this year when major job cuts were announced at the paper.

More than 200 friends and colleagues honoured him by attending his funeral Mass at St Joseph’s RC Church, Eaglesham Road, Clarkston.

Former Daily Record chief sub-editor David Boyes said: “Ron will be sorely missed, not just by his family and friends but by journalism itself.

“He believed passionately in his profession, which he regarded as a significant force for good – provided the highest standards were adhered to.

“This was something he impressed on younger journalists who happened to share a desk with him as well as to those in more senior positions who, he thought, maybe needed a reminder of their responsibilities.

“It was just a pity that Ron did not get to enjoy a fuller retirement with his beloved family.”

Friend Paul Holleran who is the NUJ Scottish organiser said: “Ron recently took voluntary redundancy as part of the latest job cuts by Trinity Mirror at The Record, which makes it doubly sad for him to die so quickly.

“Ron was a wise man and his opinion was respected by his colleagues and management in industry and union matters. This was on top of him being good company with a wealth of knowledge through his extensive reading and study.”

He leaves a wife, Catherine, sons David and Alex and daughter Catriona.