Tributes have been paid to the “driving force” behind Dalbeattie Lawn Tennis Club.
Keith Thom died on Monday having spent the last couple of months in hospital.
He had been involved with the club for decades and, after losing one of his legs to bone cancer, took up wheelchair tennis thanks to the support of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, later becoming an ambassador for the charity.
He competed across the UK and Europe with great success and also became a qualified tennis coach.
He had pushed for an indoor tennis facility in the region, which will become reality in Dumfries next year.
A statement from Dalbeattie Lawn Tennis Club said: “Keith has been the ‘main man’ and driving force in the club for many years and has been an acting president in the club spanning a total of 20 years.
“He has been an inspiration to all who knew him and threw himself wholeheartedly into everything he did.
“He never gave anything less than 100 per cent and would have given more if he could have.
“After developing cancer and losing one of his legs, that did not deter or hinder him.
“He picked himself up and enthusiastically got involved with wheelchair tennis and his lobs were still the best in the club!
“His death will leave a huge hole to be filled here at Dalbeattie Tennis Club, but more importantly, with his entire family, and our thoughts go out to all of them at this very sad time.
“Rest in peace Keith, you will always be remembered and loved by everyone at DLTC.”
As well as tennis, Keith was also a talented wheelchair curler and in recent years had taken up pickleball.
He was named Stewartry Sports Personality of the Year in 2009 and also served as chairman of Stewartry Sports Council, later winning the services to sport award.
Professionally, he worked for NFU Mutual for many years and also served as a special police constable.
And he was also a familiar face at Palmerston, where he was both supporter’s liaison officer and disability access officer.
A statement from Queen of the South read: “A lovely man, who was always willing to help anyone out, Keith took over the disability access officer role in October 2019 following the death of predecessor Eric Slaven.
“He threw himself into the role with enthusiasm and was a fine ambassador in the role.
“Keith was also an international standard participant in wheelchair tennis and a fan of rock music, regularly attending concerts by his favourite bands.
“His death will leave a huge hole to be filled at the club and at the Queen of the South Disabled Supporters Association, but more importantly, in the Thom family. Our thoughts are with his wife, children, grandchildren and the wider family and friends. May he rest in peace.”