Mr Thompson, 86, regularly went on walks in bush near his property and was last seen on Iarias Lane about 9.15am on Tuesday.

His body was found less than a kilometre east of his home at 10am and while the cause of his death is still under investigation, exposure is a likely factor with temperatures dropping below zero last night.

The “gentle” man known as Alex was a member of the town’s Lions Club and vice president Brian Kelly said he was a quiet achiever who never sought recognition.

“The club decided some two years ago to recognise him with a Melvin Jones Fellowship, one of the highest accolades a Lions member can achieve,” he said.

“It’s not common; our club has probably issued about eight in the last 40 years, and many clubs don’t issue that many, but we’ve had a lot of long-serving, hard-working members.

“He always helped out at our fundraising events, and was one of the first men on the ground to help with all the setting up and would invariably stay on and work the day as well.

“Alex was hardworking, as honest as the day is long, and was much respected and admired in Bright.”

The Thompsons moved to Bright to retire from farming nearly 20 years ago, becoming involved in sports, the local croquet club, the Anglican Church and more.

Mr Thompson, who had dementia, brought with him a Lions membership and was heavily involved in the Bright club’s community bowling team and youth of the year committee before winding back his activities about 18 months ago.

Mr Kelly said the Lions Club had lost a number of members in recent times and they would all be sorely missed.

“It will be a much different place with them not being around,” he said.

The search for Mr Thompson began at midday on Tuesday, was suspended at nightfall and resumed this morning.

Victoria Police Air Wing and Bush Search and Rescue were called in to assist the Bright, Wodonga, Myrtleford and Beechworth SES units on the ground.

Bright deputy controller Graham Gales said members of the public had also helped.

“We did a fair bit of searching behind his house – that was the direction he had been known to walk,” he said.

Bright Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll thanked those involved and said the discovery of Mr Thompson’s body was a sad outcome everyone had hoped to avoid.

“Considering the cold last night, that he was only wearing pyjamas, and was in his 80s, that all contributed,” he said.