The words made famous by Nat King Cole’s classic hit rang true for the procession at Holy Trinity Anglican Church as friends and family yesterday said goodbye to Lloyd Malcolm Keir.

A full church and mourners in the grounds including numerous past and present cricketers gathered to farewell a local cricketing legend and dear friend.

Lloyd Keir lost his 23-year battle with multiple sclerosis on Monday night, aged 53.

His parents Pud and Nance, family, friends and former team-mates will remember him as a champion on and off the field.

Family friend Bruce Henderson read the eulogy and spoke of a man who loved his cricket and had a thorough knowledge of his trade as a farmer.

“Lloyd Keir was a fantastic and true all-round cricketer and State selectors described him in the same mould as Greg Chappell,” Mr Henderson said.

“He was a superb stroke player and a pleasure to watch.

“On the farm, if it rained at the wrong time he would say you could make more money from mud than dust.”

Despite playing for NSW Country from the age of 20, Lloyd Keir decided not to play in Sydney and instead to stay at the farm, playing club cricket in Dubbo at various stages for the South High, Dubbo Rugby and Dubbo RSL cricket clubs.

He played his last game of cricket in 1987 and later managed a Country Colts team that defeated City. Mr Henderson described him as a keen and astute coach.

“Pud and Nancy wish to extend their appreciation to the doctors and staff at Lourdes Hospital and Holy Spirit Aged Care where Lloyd spent the last 10 years of his life,” Mr Henderson said.

Michael Williams said Lloyd Keir was an extraordinary man in his later years.

“The amazing thing of Lloyd that hit me right between the eyes was that there was no fear,” Mr Williams said. “I was delighted to see the song You Raise Me Up in the program because he did that in a beautiful way. For a man who could not speak, he spoke volumes.”

bill.north@ruralpress.com