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Elvis-themed funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium for rock and roll fan Frank 'the fence' Kerr from Five Oak Green

Mourners got All Shook Up when rock and roll fanatic Frank Kerr was given a send-off to remember - an Elvis-themed funeral.

Elvis Presley addict and Buddy Holly buff Mr Kerr, from Five Oak Green, near Tonbridge, died on June 14.

And his family were determined to arrange a funeral that accurately reflected the 64-year-old's fun-loving nature.

Pallbearers Boo Danch, Gary Wallace, Ryan Baker and Lee Baker
Pallbearers Boo Danch, Gary Wallace, Ryan Baker and Lee Baker

The four pallbearers - Mr Kerr's son-in-laws Gary Wallace, Boo Danch and Lee Baker, and eldest grandson Ryan Baker - and two directors donned the king's distinctive attire for the service.

Mr Kerr died of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a lung disease - after a two-year battle.

The event was organised by Angels Independent Family Funerals, of Heath Road, Coxheath, with directors Ashley Sutton and Rafael Learmonth leading the procession in fetching blue and black suits.

Mr Kerr's daughter Sharon Danch said: "We originally had our doubts about the service, but dad always made fun out of the worst situations and he would have loved everything we did."

She said the funeral, which was held at Vinters Park Crematorium, was a fitting send-off for Mr Kerr, who has passed on his love of 50s and 60s music to his children and grandchildren.

Funeral directors Rafael Learmonth and Ashley Sutton lead the procession at Frank Kerr's Elvis-themed funeral
Funeral directors Rafael Learmonth and Ashley Sutton lead the procession at Frank Kerr's Elvis-themed funeral

Mrs Danch said her daughter Amber, 19, regularly drives around playing Elvis and singing along, something which the family also indulged in, blaring his tunes from their car radio as they drove to the service.

Mr Kerr, a retired landscape gardener who was known as Frank the fence to his friends, was also a great lover of country and western and celebrated his 60th birthday with a cake themed around the genre.

Angels manager Mr Sutton, 30, said: "It was lovely to be able to be part of such a special event for such a great family."

Rock and roll fan Frank Kerr had an Elvis-themed funeral
Rock and roll fan Frank Kerr had an Elvis-themed funeral

He added that, while it was the first time they had been asked to put on such a lavishly themed funeral, they are open to any similar requests in future.

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