“THE world has lost a generous, courageous and loving man,” – those were the words used to describe farmer Davon Friend, who has died suddenly at the age of 36.

Davon died after suffering a heart attack near his sustainable-farm in Devon on Tuesday, December 27.

Hundreds of tributes have been paid to the former Archway School pupil, who was hugely popular in Stroud.

His brother in law and life-long friend Nathan Hutchings, said: “Davon was a rock for the family and the community as a whole.

“May his passion for life never be forgotten, and his fight for animal welfare and ethical farming be his legacy.

“Davon was a noble and incredibly brave and gentle man, who believed in living life to the full and making people smile.”

Davon, who was born in South Devon on September 9, 1980 and named after the river Avon, moved to Stroud with his father Rod in 1986, attending Stroud Valley Primary School and then Archway.

A gifted footballer, he played for Cashes Green and Forest Green as a boy but he soon found his passion in sustainable farming.

Close friend Toni Wickens, said: “He was a decent man who was taken so suddenly and too young.

“He was one of life’s genuine and rare human beings.

“He came from a beautiful family who I love dearly and he had one of the biggest hearts.”

Davon set up Chagfarm on the edge of Dartmoor in 2012 as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company.

One of the UK’s first community micro-dairies and meat farms, it produces organic products including honey and woodland reared pork.

The aim was to create a thriving local food economy and change attitudes towards food miles and animal welfare.

Davon’s childhood dream was to become a farmer and he later became well known for his innovative and infectious enthusiasm for small-scale farming.

Since his death a fund called Davon’s Legacy has been set up to keep the farm running for six months - and so far an astonishing £6,000 has been raised.

Davon belonged to a large and close-knit family, the fourth of six children born to his mother Jenny, who sadly died from cancer in 2012.

Those closest to him described Davon as a loyal, trustworthy and loving friend, colleague, brother, partner and son.

After leaving school he moved to London, where he spent time working at the Natural History Museum, John Laing Integrated Services and as business development manager for Bouygues Energy Services.

He later moved to Bristol, buying a flat with fiancée Jo Hawkins, to whom he was married for a year.

After parting ways they remained friends and Jo’s father Billy Hawkins, lead guitarist with the acclaimed Cornish folk outfit Fisherman’s Friends, played and sang at a service to celebrate Davon’s life on Saturday, January 7.

Besides his work at Chagfarm, Davon was a popular member of the local community, taking up the role of vice chairman of a recycling centre and helping to lead a campaign to save a library.

Hundreds of warm tributes have been paid on Facebook.

Jono Willcocks said: “Davon will always be an inspiration and his spirit runs strong in all of us.”

Andy Demetriou said: “He was a truly great man who I had the privilege of knowing and playing with at Retainers FC.”

Russ Tritton said: “Davon was a team mate at King’s Stanley FC and an outstanding person.”

Donate to Davon’s Legacy at Chagfarm.org/davons-legacy

To view Nathan's video tribute to Davon, click here.