"He taught us values in life and the main one was to work hard and he definitely lived by it," he said.
"Once his grandchildren came along you couldn't have found a more caring and loving grandfather."
His dad had been mainly a dry stock farmer all his life and had farms in Matarau, Waikaraka, and about 36ha of land in Apotu, where he lived.
Murray Holwell played rugby for Whangarei and was a trialist for Northland but, after breaking his collarbone, never got the opportunity again at that level.
A passionate rugby man, he played for both Horahora and Mid Northern clubs, going on to coach a number of Mid Northern teams over a 20-year period.
His father, Dave Holwell, 93, is still around and is well-known in the bowling fraternity.
Murray Holwell's stock agent Ron Weston also paid tribute and said he still could not believe the man he had known since the 1970s and worked for in the past 18 years was gone.
"He was a good farmer. Can't fault his loyalty and honesty. I was in the process of buying more stock for him in the next lot of sales. "Mr Weston said.
Murray Holwell is survived by his wife Jenny, son David, and daughter Kim and their families.
A service will be held in the chapel at Newberry's Funeral Home at 1pm on Monday before he is laid to rest at the Onerahi cemetery.
