Harry Gordon counted numerous Olympic champions among his many friends, but as a champion of the Olympics he had no peer.

The veteran journalist was laid to rest on Thursday in a celebration of his extraordinary life on the Gold Coast.

From humble beginnings as an only child in Depression-era Melbourne, Mr Gordon went on to become a war veteran, a newspaper editor, an Olympic historian and an author.

Over 70 years he took in 10 Olympics, becoming the country's authority on all aspects of the Games.

His status was reflected among the attendees of Thursday's funeral on the Gold Coast, with Olympic champions such as Dawn Fraser, Kieren Perkins, Glynis Nunn, Herb Elliot, Susie O'Neill and Stephen Bradbury in the crowd.

Games administrators were also in attendance, including former International Olympic Committee member Kevan Gosper and Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates.

Mr Coates was among the speakers at the service, reflecting on the 30 years of friendship he had enjoyed with Mr Gordon.

"I never had a more loyal friend than Harry," Mr Coates said.

"He was without peer, a tough bugger and certainly not frightened to voice an opinion.

"His life was a gold medal performance."

Ms Fraser showed her respect for Mr Gordon by turning over the five-ringed flag draped over his coffin when she realised it was upside down.

But Thursday's service wasn't just about Olympians - Mr Gordon's life took in many people and paths.

War veterans mingled with media giants such as political journalist Laurie Oakes.

His family also remembered a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.

His youngest son, John, said no matter who he met, "Harry" always gave them time and - if they were lucky - a hug.

"Though he was not a huge man, he had huge heart and a we used to wonder how he fit it in," John said.

As well his Olympics coverage, Mr Gordon was Australia's official Olympics historian and he wrote 15 books, the most influential being Australia and the Olympic Games, published in 1994, and its sequel, The Time of Our Lives.

After beginning his journalistic career as a copy boy at The Daily Telegraph in Sydney, Mr Gordon progressed through a variety of postings to become editor of The Sun in Melbourne, executive editor of The Herald and Weekly Times, editor-in-chief of Queensland Newspapers, editor-in-chief of The Herald and Weekly Times, and chairman of Australia's national news agency AAP.

Ed Jackson
AAP