ALWAYS generous of spirit and time, David Pocock was described by one of his sons as "not perfect but a good, honest and generous man".

David died on December 11, not many months after his 80th birthday. His funeral service was held at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium on January 4, conducted by the Rev Brian Shillingford.

Scouting was a particular thread through David’s life. Mr Shillingford said he remembered "some time back" when a Scout Group was being formed at Morchard Bishop and David was their first Scout Leader.

"And a jolly good leader he was too," said Mr Shillingford, adding what a wonderful organisation it is for boys and young men.

David had been in Scouting from an early age, continuing in his adult life. He went on to be Assistant District Commissioner for Scouting for the area.

He also loved walking and would take the family on many a hike, practising map reading and telling them how a map tells a story.

His wife, Sharon, had been District Commissioner for the Girl Guides locally and had started the Brownies and Guides in Lapford.

In a poem written in memory of David by Sharon and their daughter Mandy they said Scouting was a passion. "Keen to share his skills, backwoods cooking and aerial runways always gave a thrill" was one line.

And then going on to write about David’s love of wine, his home brews and punch, all adding wonderful memories.

One of David’s three sons, Ian Pocock, talked about how his father much enjoyed "travelling far with family or friends with a trailer or caravan, collecting wine as he went.

"He was always happy to share it too, at family dinners, special occasions and events held for friends from Lapford’s twin town, Grainville-Langannerie in Normandy."

David had been interested in photography, installing a dark room in the loft of their Lapford home.

Ian spoke of David’s "scooter riding days in the 1960’s" and said that some of his earliest memories of his father were of Scout camps and of camping with the Camping Club, his grandchildren carrying on the Scouting tradition.

David was born at Exmouth and went to school there, until his parents moved to Exeter, he then went to Hele’s School.

For his National Service, he had asked for a posting abroad but to his disappointment got Portland Bill where he spent two years. Travelling home to see his parents in Exeter when on leave by push bike.

He had worked for the same company, although it had several name changes with David retiring from Aviva at the age of 54 years.

With Sharon, David leaves three sons and a daughter. He and Sharon had another daughter, Julia, who was born with Cystic Fibrosis. Ian said that David had been very proud of the beautiful young woman she became and the people she touched during her short life. He had two grandchildren.

Donations in lieu of flowers were for Alzheimer’s UK and Age UK, or may still be made through A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ.