In fond remembrance of Ian Christopher Smart, a wonderful husband, father and papa, a man who was loved by all who knew him. Ian was born on 16th February 1947 to his wonderful parents Joan and Jack Smart who were blessed with 5 children, Joan,Wendy,Philip,Ian and Martyn, they lived in a 2 up 2 down terraced house in Kingswinford West Midlands.They gave him the best possible childhood he could have wished for. It was a little cramped to say the least with 2 adults and 5 children in a small terraced house, but they were happy days, with baths in a tin bath in front of the fire and fetching water from the well. It was in the days when you could go out all day scrumping, or riding your bike or any other childhood pursuit, and as long as you were back before dark your Mom never worried!Ians parents called Ian the black sheep of the family as if anyone was going to get in trouble, it was usually him! When Ian was 15 years old he went into the car trade as a professional panel beater. He worked at F J Fildes in Stourbridge and learnt his trade on classic cars. He remained in this profession for most of his working life finishing his long career at Steels in Hereford, he was one of the best panel beaters in his profession! When he was 16 years old he and Jackie started going out together although they had met some years earlier when Ian used to deliver the newspapers to Jackie’s home.Next month they would have been together for 50 years. They married when Ian was 21 years of age and Jackie was 17, They had 3 children Nikki, Maxine and Leanne all of whom Ian and Jackie have been very proud, and also very supportive to their parents especially recently whilst Ian has been so ill. They and their husbands too whom Ian and Jackie look on as sons, have been back and forth to Spain to help their parents. Ian and Jackie were blessed with 4 amazing grandchildren, William, Nathaniel, Esmee and Ruby and also Nikki and Mikes baby, who Ian sadly never got to meet,who is due to be born in just 3 weeks time which means Nikki is unable to be here today,Ian fought and tried so very hard to ensure he met little peanut! I am sure they will never forget their Papa,he adored them and they adored him. Ian and Jackie lived for the most part of their lives in the West Midlands close to their families but went to live in Herefordshire in their dream oak beamed cottage in 1996.They thought they would be there forever! They came on holiday to Spain 3 years ago and decided this was where they wanted to be. They went home to tell their family that they were emigrating and the family thought they had lost the plot! They moved here 2 years ago and have really enjoyed their time in Spain. The only regret is that their retirement here was not long enough as they had hoped to spend a long and happy retirement in the sun! The friends whom they have met in Spain have been wonderful and also very supportive with sitting with Ian,shopping,visiting,a shoulder to cry on for Jackie and also for making the wonderful cakes! Jackie would like to thank you all for that love and support, especially during Ians illness. Thanks also to Ian’s brother Phillip,and sisters Joan and Wendy for all their support with visiting and also their endless telephone calls during the past months. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the life of Ian, a loving, caring and fun loving man, who in the past few months was so brave and showed dignity and courage during his terminal illness, and who I am sure none of you will ever forget,especially his wicked laugh and wonderful smile.He ensured he had us smiling till the end, even today as Ian is lyeing here with a T shirt on he bought especially for today with a photo of Arnold Schwarzenegger and" I'll be back"printed on the front. Ian was an inspiration to us all and will be sadly missed. Can we also spare a moment to remember Martyn, Ians brother who sadly died suddenly in January last year, today would have been his birthday.I am sure both Ian and Martyn will be sharing a few jokes together in heaven right now as usually happened when they were together. May God bless them both.