Family pays tribute to beloved grandfather killed in crash

The man killed in a New Year's Day crash in southeast Queensland has been remembered as a doting father to six children and grandfather to 14.

Harold Lander, 82, died in a single-vehicle crash at Pechey, north of Toowoomba, on New Year's Day.

THE family of a beloved father and grandfather killed in a New Year's Day crash has paid tribute to the "funny old fella" deeply committed to those he loved.

Harold Lander, 82, has been remembered as a doting father to six children and grandfather to 14, who lived a good life.

Mr Lander's daughter Tonya Elder paid tribute to his spirit as his family and friends come to terms with the tragedy.

"Everybody knew him at Jondaryan; he was just well-loved and liked by heaps of people," Mrs Elder said.

"He was a funny old fella with the grandkids, tormenting them and laughing with them."

Mr Lander was well-known in the region, working alongside his best mate Bob Keller hiring out carnival rides such as merry-go-rounds and jumping castles.

He had been returning a jumping castle to Crows Nest on Tuesday when his van and trailer struck a tree near Pechey.

Mrs Elder said he worked with the business "mainly as an interest" and to keep him going, 14 years after the death of his wife Fran from cancer in 2004.

HAPPIER TIMES: With their father Harold Lander (front) are (from left) Doris Lander, Scott Lander, Tonya Elder, Robert Lander and David Lander.

Mr Lander would lovingly tend her grave each day, she said.

"He had a good life and with the honey and all that, it kept him going," she said.

His beloved little chihuahua Missy with him at the time of the crash survived and Mrs Elder said that gave her family some comfort.

"He took her everywhere," she said.

The family has been overwhelmed by the kind words and tributes from people who knew Mr Lander in a network of friends and connections built up over years living in the region.

Originally from Moree in NSW, Mr Lander was a baker by trade, earned his Golden Gloves in his younger years, and helped establish Full Boar 4WD, run today by Mrs Elder.

When his children were young, Mr Lander willingly played Santa Claus at North State School, riding in on his old police motorbike.

He became known in his later years for his honey, with people regularly asking for more.

"He'll be greatly missed by all his grandkids and us," Mrs Elder said.

Police investigations into the crash are continuing.

Funeral details for Mr Lander will be published in a later edition of The Chronicle.