Tributes to former teacher after leukaemia battle
Tributes have been paid to a former teacher who died after a battle with leukaemia.
David Timms, who was affectionately known as Timbo by his friends and students, died aged 69 after suffering with myelodysplastic syndrome which led to leukemia on March 24.
Mr Timms, who lived in Arleston, worked at the former Orleton Park Secondary School in Wellington for nearly 30 years until he retired aged 50, before taking up a role in the community education department at Telford College of Arts and Technology.
His son Lee said: "He was a real people person and a community teacher. He had worked at Orleton from his twenties until he was 50.
"He had got a little tired with the changes I think. He was a woodwork teacher and when technology came in he got tired with it.
"He set up his own course called Design For Living that was about getting kids ready for the outside world.
"His work at TCAT involved him driving all over Shropshire helping students of all ages to enrol on to courses.
"He would help everyone and would never say no to anyone."
Mr Timms said his father was a hands-on man who enjoyed making things out of wood in his garage, gardening and his allotment.
"He always had lists of things to do about the house. He had two speeds, off and full pelt," he said.
"He was still making lists for us right up until about a week before he died."
He also said many people would remember his father for his infamous chicken impersonation.
He added: "It was his party trick. He used to bend his knees and flick his right leg back and flap his arms around and then scamper around the room.
"He would do it at any public or social occasion.
"He has passed it on as well, I'm not so good at it but my brothers Andrew and Peter are quite good at it."
Mr Timms also helped set up the Green Woods Trust, which merged with the Smallwoods Trust in 2002.
The Smallwoods Trust aims to help promote and support small woods in the UK.
Mr Timms leaves behind Lee, Andrew, Peter and Sarah, sister Anne and his 11-month old granddaughter Florrie.
His funeral will be held at Telford Crematorium on Friday at 2pm.
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