Jack Stanmore passed away on Tuesday aged 75.

Mr Stanmore was the beneficiary of one of the first air ambulance missions undertaken by renowned aviatrix Nancy Bird-Walton, who flew a medical evacuation for little Jack when he was born as a premature baby at Ivanhoe Hospital in 1938.

At the time he weighed just 1.5 kilograms and with the tiny Ivanhoe Hospital not having the equipment to treat delicate premature babies with breathing difficulties, Mr Stanmore was not expected to survive.

But against the odds he did, and went on to become a much-loved husband, father and grandfather who never forgot the wonderful work of the RFDS in saving his and many other lives.

Mr Stanmore and his wife Ellie travelled from Dubbo to be reunited with Ms Walton at her Neutral Bay retirement home in 2008 where they introduced her to the couple's grandchildren as part of the RFDS 80th anniversary celebrations.

The Stanmores were also recognised for their efforts with a Dubbo City Council Community Service Award in 2007.

Dubbo RFDS Support Group president Terry Clark, who will speak at today's funeral service, described Mr Stanmore as "a true example of what a volunteer is".

"Jack was a foundation member of the Dubbo support group, and he and Ellie took on the responsibility of running our raffles," he said.

"They've given an enormous amount of time to the RFDS in terms of fundraising and public relations.

"Jack hardly missed a meeting, even when he was sick. Even in his poor state of health he was at the annual general meeting three weeks ago.

"It's not just the RFDS Jack and Ellie helped, it was the PCYC, St Vinnies... they've never stopped helping and giving back to the community in so many ways.

"I have enormous feelings of sadness on Jack's passing but am also tremendously grateful for everything he has done."