A man who worked with Craig Porter for 15 years has offered a heartfelt tribute to "one of the best men that I ever worked with".
Mr Porter (50), of Palmerston, died after the ute he was travelling in rolled on a farm near Dunback on Sunday afternoon.
He worked at Graymont's Makareao Plant until 2016, when he left to pursue other opportunities.
Until 2015, the plant was known as Taylors Lime.
Graymont New Zealand operations manager Mark Silcock, of Hamilton, said Mr Porter worked at the limeworks for more than 20 years.
"He ... worked his way up to the role of operations manager. Craig maintained great relationships with his team, customers and suppliers because he was very friendly and extremely loyal," he said.
"I worked with Craig for over 15 years. He was one of the best men that I ever worked with.
"Craig was dedicated to his wife, Diane, and sons Jesse and Sam."
Through the police, the family asked for privacy.
And while Mr Porter was a well-known fixture at Waikouaiti's Eastern Rugby Football Club, members of the club also declined to comment.
Mr Porter's latest workplace, Drummond & Etheridge Ltd, decided to close its Oamaru office for staff to attend his funeral in Dunedin on Monday.
Drummond & Etheridge human resources manager Courtney Hyde said Mr Porter had worked for the company for only a short time, as a sales consultant at its Oamaru branch, "but he had had an immediate impact on all of us".
"He showed professionalism, honesty, integrity and loyalty towards his colleagues and customers and his positivity and sense of humour will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
