Glowing tributes have been paid to a "legend" who was still playing rugby at the age of 76.
Renowned for "an incredible sporting career" in boxing, football and rugby, well known doorman Terence 'Tex' Colby was "cherished" by so many people "over so many generations".
Family, friends and former teammates of Tex - a stalwart Lowestoft & Yarmouth Rugby Club member - died peacefully at Beccles Hospital on September 27.
Described as "a fighter right to the end," Mr Colby, 82, from Lowestoft, was remembered as hundreds of people - many wearing rugby or football shirts - turned out at a special service to celebrate his life at the Waveney Crematorium.
Hailed as a "true legend" by family and friends, the service started with those attending standing to applaud the wicker coffin as it was brought in.
With the service led by Tony Falco, from L&Y rugby club, memories were shared, stories were told, a rugby song was sung and there was laughter and tears during the poignant service.
Mr Falco said: "Tex really was one in a million."
Mr Colby was a "treasured husband" to Pat, father to Phil, Stevie and Ady, father-in-law to Lisa, Nicky and Laura, granddad to Harry, Holly, Elena, Grace, Hugo and Eliza and a great-grandad to Narla.
With emotional speeches from his grandchildren, they said Tex "really was a local legend" who will be "cherished forever".
Sons Phil, Stevie and Ady said Tex had "an incredible sporting career" that saw him playing rugby at 76, and walking rugby when he was 80.
Born June 8 1941 in Fleetwood to Harry and Ellen, the sons said: "The name Tex evolved when Terrence was shortened to Tets which then became Texas then Tex."
In 1953 Tex moved to Lowestoft as his father was fishing out of the port.
This led to him attending the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, where he "excelled at all sports especially boxing".
He started working at Lowestoft fish docks as a fish filleter, aged 15.
His sons said: "Dad was a grafter.
"He worked as a doorman at Hanks, Bridge House, The Crown, Arthurs and the Corton Hut and was very respected by punters and police
"He also worked as a doorman at the Royal Hotel where he got to meet many famous people, including the Rolling Stones."
After meeting Pat at Morton Road Youth Club in 1962, they married July 18 1964 at Lowestoft registry office, with sons Phil, Stevie and Ady born in 1966, 1968 and 1972 respectively.
After starting boxing training when he was 16, Tex "used to run" to Beccles, where he would "train in a gym behind Dougie Leggett's fish shop".
They said: "He was on the path to turn pro aged 19, but unfortunately he fell ill with bronchial pneumonia, and was in hospital for six months.
"This ended his hopes of turning pro, but the left hook would always be a legacy from that period in his life."
In 1968, and for over 40 years, Mr Colby was involved in playing and running local Saturday and Sunday football clubs that included Oulton Broad, Hearts of Oak, Bayfields, Hanks, Waveney Labour and The Duke.
After going to watch Phil play rugby when Tex was 42, the sons said: "The team were short so dad played at full back.
"He got the bug and played for another 30-plus years - moving to the front row, and he played loose head prop and hooker to a very good standard."
Having also filled "many roles" at the rugby club, a spokesman said: "Tex will always be remembered at Lowestoft and Yarmouth Rugby Club.
"Tex's enthusiasm for local rugby, football and boxing fraternities will be a considerable loss."
With online donations in memory of Tex accepted for Alzheimer's Research UK, or towards raising money for a memorial bench in Tex's memory, the celebration of his life continued at Coach House in Carlton Colville.
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