Pastures moo: Cattle farmer is carried to funeral in coffin on back of tractor so he ‘can see his cows’ one last time before his journey to the next world

• George Brookes, who died on July 31, loved his cows ‘more than anything’ 
• In a touching tribue his coffin was carried to his funeral on the back of a tractor 
• This was so George, from Uttoxeter, could see his cows one last time 

A cattle farmer’s coffin was carried to his funeral on the back of a tractor so he could ‘see his cows’ one last time before his journey to the next world.

George Brookes, from Uttoxeter, died on July 31, aged 85.

His son and former East Staffordshire councillor David Brookes said he would often ask to be driven to the farm after he retired ‘just so he could see the cows’.

In a moving tribute by his family, he was taken to visit them one last time for his funeral.

David said: ‘If you ever needed George he would often be found in a pub. He would always turn up five minutes before it was due to close and he’d still be sat in the same place hours later.

‘More than anything though he loved his cows. 

The coffin of cattle farmer George Brookes – who died on July 31, aged 85 – was carried to his funeral on the back of a tractor so he could ‘see his cows’ one last time

‘He would often ask to be drove to the farm after he retired just so he could see the cows, which is why for his funeral for one last visit to see his cows.’ 

David said when his grandfather brought cattle back to the farm from the market on a Wednesday, his father George would leave school early to walk them home with him.  

David, who still works on the farm, said his father was a ‘very well known and much loved man’ and that around 300 people attended his funeral.

He continued: ‘He was a character and passionate about his lifestyle and the farm he lived and worked on. 

‘He was incredibly proud of us children and his grandchildren, always saying not one of then had a lazy bone in their bodies, which he always taught them to be like.’

George was born at Chapel Farm, Beamhurst, on January 31, 1937.

The youngest of three brothers, David said his father would often play under a bridge with his brother Gerald, building farmyards using blue stones and pieces of wood to make cowsheds. 

George’s son, and former East Staffordshire councillor, David Brookes said his father would often ask to be driven to the farm after he retired ‘just so he could see the cows’

In 1949, George and his family moved to Lower Loxley Farm. 

David said when his grandfather brought cattle back to the farm from the market on a Wednesday, his father George would leave school early to walk them home with him. 

George met his wife Kath at Uttoxeter Town Hall junior farming event and they married on October 23, 1958, at Hilderstone Church. 

The couple had four children, 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

Other than looking after his family, another great hobby for George was to watch his beloved Stoke City Football Club play.

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