Hundreds of people attended the funeral service of Michael Baxter in Gunnedah on Monday, with mourners including members of the Packer and Murdoch families.
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The soaring sound of Bridge Over Troubled Waters, sung by Adelaide’s Chantelle Ormandy-Stratton who sung at the 2007 wedding of Erica Baxter and James Packer, rang out across the many people gathered outside Gunnedah Anglican Church.
Gunnedah mourned both Mr Baxter and Damian Haire on the same day, with Mr Haire’s funeral held in Tambar Springs
Mr Haire, a popular 45-year-old Tambar Springs farmer, died after being struck by lightning this month.
Mr Baxter died on March 17 following a year-long battle with the disease amyloidosis
His daughter model Erica Baxter flew back to Gunnedah from her home in Los Angeles. Her former husband James Packer arrived soon after Mr Baxter’s death, and was followed by their three children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle.
Mr Baxter’s service was attended by Erica Packer’s fellow model and friend Sarah Murdoch, Mr Packer’s mother Ros and sister Gretel.
Jordan Hunter, one of Mr Baxter’s 10 grandchildren, made a moving tribute to his “Papa”.
Mr Baxter’s daughter Joanna Hunter read a Victor Hugo poem, and Erica Packer read “To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me”.
Mr Baxter’s son William Baxter told mourners his father had worked as a solicitor in Gunnedah for 48 years, following in the footsteps of his own father.
“He had one job for his whole life,” he said.
He said his father was a man who “knew what loyalty meant”.
William Baxter told of a man who loved fishing – especially on Lord Howe Island – who had twice taken part in the Sydney-Hobart yacht race and tackled crocodiles in Papua New Guinea.
“Family was his great love, as was the town of Gunnedah,” William Baxter said.
“His final request was a slow drive around it.
“After that, he died peacefully and quickly, in his bed, surrounded by love and admiration.”
He said his father could have had further treatment to possibly prolong his life but had chosen not to.
Mr Baxter said the loss was shared by both his family and friends.
“We lose a father,” he said, “and this town loses a man of genuine greatness.”
Mr Baxter compared his father to some of the world's favourite actors.
“He was a man of classic character. Imagine the epicness of Gregory Peck’s Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. And that gentle delivery.
“A man with a twinkle in his eye like Paul Newman playing Butch Cassidy, and that dry wit. A man for more than a few decades with a look like Magnum PI, moustache and short shorts to match.
“A man like Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, old school mindset, new school beliefs. That was dad.’’
Mr Baxter's wife Sheelah died in 2011. He is survived by his partner Anna, children Joanna, William and Erica, and his 10 grandchildren.
Mr Packer was a pall-bearer for Mr Baxter.
Following the service, a cortege left for the Memorial Park Lawn Cemetery in Gunnedah, and a wake was held at Gunnedah Rugby Club.
The family asked that instead of flowers, people give a donation to help find a cure for amyloidosis.