FORMER journalist Terence (Terry) Michael Keeler, who interviewed the world's top country music stars including Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell, has passed away after a long illness, aged 73.

Terry, who lived in Freshwater, was born in Woking, Surrey, the youngest of three sons.

A few years later the family emigrated to South Africa before eventually settling in what was then Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

He read biblical studies at the University of Grahamstown, under the guidance of the Anglican Church, but left to support his mother after his father died.

His journalism career started at the Grocotts Mail, before returning to Britain in 1978 to work for the Financial Times and The Telegraph.

He also wrote for a country music newspaper, travelling to Nashville, Tennessee to interview Dolly Parton. He interviewed dozens of stars including Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell and Roy Orbison.

He met his future wife Jeannette on a late night train from Waterloo and they married in September, 1981. Their daughter Andrea was born three years later.

In the late 1980s Terry changed career and attended Keele University to study law and computer science, graduating with a BA and a Masters degree, then working as a lecturer.

The family moved to Woking in 1995 when he was offered a job in computer science.

In 1997, Terry had a quadruple bypass. He never fully recovered and retired a few years later.

The family moved to the IW in 2002, where Terry was an active member of St Saviour's Church, Totland, and the Catholic Catenians Association.

Throughout his life he loved playing the guitar and had a variety of acoustic guitars, as well as his beloved electric red and white fender Stratocaster.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

His funeral was held at St Saviour's Church on Thursday.

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