Farewell to classic local bloke

MORE than 1000 people turned out to the funeral of Steven John Eager, a legend in the hotrod community and well-known for his love of rockabilly culture.

Steven John Eager was born on June 18, 1961, though many of his friends wouldn't know him as Steven because he would always introduce himself as "Igor", or more recently "Gor".

He was a little brother to Terry and John. Growing up in Dinmore, he made some lifelong friends who in their young years got up to quite a bit of mischief.

It was in his teenage years that Gor found his true love for cars. He most enjoyed spending time tinkering with cars and hanging out with his mates.

When Gor was 21 he met future wife Julie. Soon after, they moved to Cairns for a short time, then moving on to Bundaberg, where his brother John lived.

It was there that his son Mitchell was born. This was a very proud moment in his life.

While in Bundaberg he became a member of the Bundaberg Van Club.

In 1984 Gor and Julie moved back to Ipswich. The following year Gor and Julie got and married and bought a house.

It was in 1986 that their second son Tyler was born. Not long after that Gor and Julie went their separate ways.

Gor became a single dad until Lisa came into his life, and they welcomed their daughter Kylie into the world in 1988.

During Gor's time at his house in Booval, he joined the Fine Iron Rod and Custom Club, where he recently earned himself a life membership.

Joining the club signalled a new chapter in his life.

He built his first hotrod in this time - a yellow 34 Chev Tudor.

Gor enjoyed anything car-related, as long as it wasn't Japanese-built. He loved going on hotrod runs, and swap meets, and even if he just brought a hamburger it was about the social aspect.

Gor was known for entering hotrod shows. He was known for cleaning up in the trophy sector and earned himself the name "trophy hunter".

The next chapter of his life began when the family sold up and moved to Thagoona.

Here he was in his element, putting up sheds and a rumpus room, which in 2008 he turned in a 50s diner.

Gor loved to show off his latest projects and whatever he had on the go.

Gor began to attend the Wintersun festival, now known as Cooly Rocks, where he made a rather large group of friends and became something of a legend.

Through some of the friendships made at Cooly, the club Boneyard Kustomz was formed, with a head office at the Coolangatta Hotel.

In 2004 Gor found out he had a long lost son, called Dave. This was a pleasant surprise, and he welcomed Dave's family members Kari, Jake, Hayden, and Bailey into the Eager clan.

Family was everything to Gor, from his children to the grandkids, Riley, Maddy, Maya, Hudson, Keeley.

He had a huge heart and would always openly welcome anyone into his world. He loved showing off.

Gor was very much a family man who was proud of his children and grandchildren.

He was a fun-loving man who would do anything for anyone and will be dearly missed.

His funeral was held on June 21 and led by a procession of hotrod cars, driven by his friends and family.