The second ceremony for the much-loved character amassed a crowd of about 200 people; late arrivals crowded near the entrance, and some even sat on the floor.

Described as a "good old bloke, old George" by his 13th grandson Ashley Jennison, Mr Thompson was said to be determined to make it on his own from an early age.

He left school at 15, fell hard for the bush and spent much of his life as a drover, a collector, an avid reader and a key part of the communities he lived in.

"George's life was peppered with adventures and coincidences," Mr Jennison said.

"He had many yarns about the bush... and was renowned for being able to cook a bloody great feed."

Joshua Thompson - the eldest of the Thompson great-grandchildren - braved the crowd to send a farewell.

"I am so glad I got to know Poppy George," he said. "Not everyone gets to know their great Poppy... I have two: Poppy Pete and Poppy George, and they are both very good Poppies."

Mr Thompson first came to the Territory in 1969 on a trip to collect one of his home-sick daughters.

Immediately falling for the expansive, barren landscape, he organised some work and packed up his family to head north.

Mr Jennison said a key point in Mr Thompson's life was when he met his wife Margaret and had seven children.

The couple spent years wandering the Territory - moving from one place to the next as George worked on a long list of cattle stations- before settling in Katherine.

"Together George and Margaret had the iconic Daly Waters pub... where many of his collectables were still on display years later," Mr Jennison said.

"He ran the pub in his own unique style... later George and Margaret purchased land... they kept cattle, goats, pigs, chooks, ducks and on occasion there were camels and donkeys too."

In the 80's they subdivided the land, known as Granite Creek Station and created Edith Farms as we know it today.

"George was an avid collector and hoarder of many unusual items - some of historic value. And he was often called on to provide props for local movies," Mr Jennison said.

"On many occasions he was called on to transport in dignitaries including the chief minister and Pauline Hanson."

His views were "extreme bordering on ridiculous". A staunch gun enthusiast he tells a story of surprising dinner guests as he takes a gun to a rat.

He kept his mind active with an eclectic collection of books and became an active part of the community.

In Katherine he joined the show society, the pony club, local gymkhanas, Bush Fires NT and was a member of the Katherine Hospital Board - to name a few.

He attended council meetings and debated passionately for causes close to his heart and even ran for Mayor.

Despite his catchy platform "It's time for a change" he wasn't voted in and didn't run again.

Following a lifetime of achievements and noteworthy awards including a Brolga award in 1992 and again in 2002, Mr Thompson spent his later years in life busy with the senior citizens, socialising in Woolworths and helping his second wife Mary with the garden from the comfort of his chair on the veranda, Mr Jennison said.

"The most remarkable thing about George as a person was his ability to be unapologetically himself. He stood by his decisions and opinions no matter what evidence there might be to the contrary.

"He will be very sadly missed by the whole community.

"Perhaps most of all, George was one of the last remaining bush gentlemen - someone who enjoyed company over a cuppa and a good yarn."

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