Geoffrey Lewis Packer (Geoff), husband of Pamela and father of Stephen, Robert, Clint and Melissa, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 aged 83 years.
Geoff was born in Narrabri Hospital on October 30, 1942 to Alan (dec) and Ivy Packer, née Hathley (dec), the couple’s youngest child and a brother for Joyce (dec) and Doreen.
The family enjoyed a carefree existence growing up on their property at Eulah Creek.
Schooling was undertaken just next door at the Eulah Creek School, a small historic primary school serving the local community until the late 1960s.
It was an idyllic childhood, growing up doing all the things a young bush boy does.
As a 12-year-old heading out into the hills behind their property, Geoff could handle a gun, playing cowboys and Indians, hunting, and surviving – all on his own.
Geoff completed his education with two years of high school, conducted through homeschooling with Ivy and a CB radio, while Alan worked on farms around the district.
Sports was not excluded during these years, with Ivy bowling thousands of cricket balls for Geoff in the yard using the chimney as a backstop.
Heralded as the family’s ‘SuperCoach’, Ivy helped to develop a young Geoffrey Packer into a beautiful and technically correct classical batsman.
And given the fact that Ivy was meant to be in charge of his schooling, this might be exactly where sport began to take precedence over academics.
Horse and sulky rides into Narrabri were a fond memory for Geoff, including stops along the way, such as the wine shop that in later years sadly burnt down.
At the age of 15, Geoff moved into Narrabri township to live with his sister Doreen, who was now married and had set up home with her husband, Bede Miskle.
Embarking on an apprenticeship as a mechanic at Griffco’s and Redline Machinery, Geoff quickly built a reputation as a trusted, hardworking, reliable young man.
During this time, Geoff began to compete in cricket and tennis on a more consistent basis, later representing district in both sports, along with selection in the Colts cricket team.
He ingrained himself into the fabric of what was in those years a working man’s community and a powerful sports scene.
Geoff was 19-years-old when he met and fell in love with a young local girl, 17-year-old Pamela Ritter.
Their story began in the popular dance scene of Narrabri, where Pam and her twin sister Fay loved to dance.
Geoff, more focused on sport than doing the twist, decided one fateful night after a tennis match to walk from the town courts down to the Town Hall, knowing that Pam would be there.
He waited outside, talked to Pam through a window, and gallantly offered to walk her home after the dance.
Pam was falling head over heels by this time and duly accepted Geoff’s offer of a date.
However, when Geoff arrived at Pam’s home in Dangar Street in order to collect her for their first date, he never actually left the house.
Pam’s father Arthur was so captivated by the young man that he monopolised Geoff’s time, talking all things cricket for the rest of the evening.
Two years later the happy couple were engaged, and three years from the moment they met, Geoff and Pam celebrated the occasion of their wedding on May 1, 1965.
During the next 10 years the family grew, with Geoff and Pam welcoming three boys, Stephen in 1967, Robert in 1969, Clint in 1973, and a daughter Melissa in 1975.
After working 17 years as a mechanic, at the age 32, Geoff swapped trades and became a plumber for Barry Keys, a job he stayed loyal to until his retirement.
The children spent an idyllic childhood built around Geoff’s passions – cricket, tennis, camping, fishing, pets, cousins, friends, barbecues, and community.
Geoff lived for his family within a community that lived for each other.
Geoff served as president of junior cricket and a selector for North West and District cricket.
He was honoured to receive the award of life membership of the Narrabri & District Tennis Association in 1991.
In those days sport shaped communities, and Geoff always felt these achievements and roles were a privilege and an honour.
Geoff’s impact on the sporting world was widespread.
He carried on Ivy’s tradition as an elite cricket coach, serving as a coach and mentor to thousands of kids throughout the years.
After Geoff’s 60th birthday, travel became another huge passion, with Geoff and Pam enjoying their latest trip in New Zealand only just a year ago.
Geoff had visited New Zealand many times with memories of travelling more than 70 per cent of the country, most definitely a favourite destination.
However, Geoff’s favourite trip of all time without doubt was with the team dubbed the ‘awesome foursome’ – Pam, Geoff, Fay and Kevin – travelling around Australia in search of historical sites and local beers.
Geoff also loved to dabble in a horse punt in recent years.
He was incredibly slow to use a phone to make a call, but could easily make a $1 bet with no trouble at all.
Geoff had become far more than a son, a brother, and a father.
He became the patriarch of a deep, close-knit family – four children, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and baby Packer on the way.
A man whose presence, values, and spirit will shape generations.
When we consider how environment helps shape a person – it makes perfect sense why his balance, perspective, and self-reliance were so impressive.
An abstract thinker who had a gift for reframing thought and obstacles, Geoff would guide his family towards their own solutions, quietly teaching them to trust their strengths.
He believed deeply in people – in the simple idea that everyone has real ability, even when they couldn’t yet see it themselves.
Geoff was a man that people gravitated towards without him ever needing to pull them in.
He was authentic, always listening and making those who knew him feel they mattered.
Geoff’s clarity and measure, delivering words with a grace and ease that made everyone around him feel ten feet tall, embodied old school class.
He was a true gentleman of his time.
Geoff is survived by his wife Pam, his children Stephen, Robert, Clint, and Melissa together with their partners Sarah, Melissa, Lizzie and Dean.
Adored grandfather to Cayla, Jesse, Tahlia, Jake, Rekkia, Georgie, Chelsea, and Campbell, and great-grandfather to Jye, Jasper, River, Ivy, Evie, Lysbeth and baby Packer, he will be greatly missed.
To order photos from this page click here
