ERIC WHEELDONTributes have been paid to Eric Thomas Wheeldon, aged 60, who died of cancer on 5 September, 2008.
Mr Wheeldon was known to his friends as TJ Bear River Smith - after an infamous cowboy gunned down in an ambush.
More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the life of the popular cowboy, and many who attended the funeral held at St Paul's Church in Trent Vale, were dressed in country and western gear.
His coffin was draped with an American flag to symbolise his love for all things country and western.
That was further demonstrated by the hundreds of mourners who dressed in spurs, chaps and traditional dresses.
Speaking at the funeral, which was held on 18 September, 2008, Reverend Anthony Osbourne said: "Eric was something of a comedian with an outgoing personality.
"He was fortunate to have made many friends in his life.
"Everyone is so well attired for his funeral in the clothes of mid-America. Eric used to make sure he always dressed the part. But he also had a side of his life which we should all give thought to.
"He was involved in his community and did charity work. All of us need to consider what we can do to help.
"He also had the guts to dress up as a cowgirl on some occasions and he had a full beard from his early teenage years which must have made him very proud.
"But, like everyone Eric, had his quirks. He hated the dentists and when he needed a tooth removed he used to do it himself and keep the teeth."
Mr Wheeldon was born and brought up in Foden Street, Boothen, Staffordshire, and followed his family tradition and went to work for pottery firm Biltons.
In his youth he loved rock music like Pink Floyd. But when he started going to the Bids Club in Longton in the early 1990s he found his calling.
He went on to amass a collection of outfits including a Seventh Cavalry costume, a Western 'hustler' complete with frock coat, and a Kentucky 'trapper' man with suede tasselled coat and furry Arctic Fox fur hat.
Like many of his friends he picked a name for his alter ego and his was TJ Bear River Smith.
Mr Wheeldon became a regular at Dodge City, a country club night held on Saturdays at Longton Rugby Union FC, where he could dance and rub shoulders with the likes of Billy The Kid and Wyatt Earp. Paul Smith, a life-long friend of Eric's, read a cowboy prayer during the funeral service.
He said: "We ask Lord, that you will help us live our lives here on earth as cowboys, that when we make that last inevitable ride, to the country up there, where the grass grows lush, green, and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear, and deep, that you'll take us by the hand and say - Welcome to Heaven cowboy, your entry fees are paid."
Speaking after his funeral, Eric's 26-year-old son Kevin said: "My father would have been over the moon because everyone made such an effort to dress up for his funeral.
"I had an idea he was popular but I never expected so many people to turn up."
Keep me informed of updates
