That was how his family described the former drover, horseman, wanderer, collector, community citizen and family man at his funeral today.

About 100 people gathered for the first of two services for "one of the last remaining bush gentlemen" in Darwin today.

A second, and what is expected to be a much larger service, will be held on Sunday, February 23 at Katherine Museum from 10.30am.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Katherine Historical Society at Katherine Museum.

The 92-year-old of Edith Farms sadly passed away earlier in the month.

His eldest grand-daughter, Hayley Palazzi, read the eulogy to George on behalf of his family today.

A display of pictures of George, his family, and many, many horses appeared on a large screen at Darwin Funeral Services prior to a cremation.

"He would talk on any topic, he had stories about everything," Ms Palazzi began.

"He loved a cup of sweetened black tea and swore by (the healing properties) of Vicks VapoRub, he always smelled of it," she said.

She said her grandfather wanted his funeral to be a happy occasion.

Alan George Malcolm Thompson was born in Orange NSW, the eldest of six children, the service heard.

His father was a bank officer and the family traveled around rural NSW including Hay and Griffith.

As people often did in those days, he left school aged 15 and worked at a clothing store for a time.

After several years he became bored by that job he left home to fend for himself.

He travelled into the outback to trap rabbits (for a shilling and threepence a pair).

"He developed a love for the bush and station work," Ms Palazzi said.

He became a drover, and worked around western NSW.

He married Margaret and had seven children, the marriage was to last 55 years until Margaret's death. In his final years he married Mary.

George was a great horseman and built his own sulkies and wagonettes.

The family settle for some time in Bourke.

He first came to the Territory in 1969 and fell in love with it, Ms Palazzi said.

He moved his family to Granite Creek Station just north west of Katherine.

The property was later subdivided to become Edith Farms.

"He kept all sorts of animals on the farm," Ms Palazzi said, including camels and donkeys.

There was the Brumby Tracks food venture, his collection of anything and everything.

"He kept his mind active and read a lot."

No matter where he lived he believed in becoming a member of the community.

He became involved in many organisations in Katherine, the show, the rodeo, the hospital, the senior citizens club.

"He debated vigorously the issues he was passionate about."

Many of those "issues" involved a better servicing of Edith Farms whether it was the collection of household rubbish or fixing potholes.

He once ran for Mayor and was not worried when he only collected a few votes, his family said.

"He was always on the lookout for the next good deal," Ms Palazzi said.

"He was at times unfair and completely unreasonable.

"He was also one of the last remaining bush gentlemen."

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