Dr. James (Jim) Smart passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the St. Paul’s Palliative Care Unit in Saskatoon. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dr. Marion (Meg) Smart; his parents, Gerald and Corona Smart; his brother, Tom; and his sister, Betty.

Jim is survived by his sons, Kerry (Linda) and Ken (Kathryn), and his daughter, Jennifer (Connor); his grandchildren, Chris (Pam), Julie (Cory), Ellery, and Adeline; and his 16 great-grandchildren.

Born on February 13, 1929, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the family moved from Winnipeg to The Pas, Berens River, Kelwood, and Ochre River. Growing up in northern and rural Manitoba gave Dad a lifelong appreciation for wide-open spaces and the outdoors. Dad received his degree in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba before attending the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, where he earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine.

He began his veterinary career in Roblin, Manitoba, before moving to Dauphin, where he opened a veterinary practice with his lifelong friend, Dr. Ray Butler. Ray and Dad worked long hours and many late nights caring for both large and small animals. The stories they would tell of late-night winter calls, long before cell phones or GPS were even imagined, were always memorable.

In 1967, Dad and Ray sold the practice and moved to Saskatoon. Jim joined the WCVM at the U of S, where he worked in the Small Animal Department. It was there that he met our mom, Meg. They were married a year later and moved to Ontario, where they both accepted teaching positions at the OVC.

In 1974, Dad and Mom returned to Saskatoon, where they joined the U of S as professors in large animal medicine. A favourite of his students, Dad retired in 1990 as an Associate Professor. Retirement did not mean slowing down, however. He continued teaching extension courses at Kelsey Institute and created a grief counselling service for people who had lost a beloved pet.

Gardening was Dad’s favourite hobby. He spent countless hours tending his vegetable garden and took great pleasure in sharing the fruits of his labour with family and friends. He particularly loved telling the story of the year he planted and harvested 1,000 hills of potatoes, all by hand.

Dad was diagnosed with dementia in 2020 and over the years, the disease took its toll. He spent the last three years of his life at Stonebridge Crossing in Saskatoon. The family would like to sincerely thank all of the staff at Stonebridge Crossing for the kindness, compassion, and care they provided to Dad. We would also like to thank the nurses, doctors, and palliative care team at St. Paul’s Hospital who cared for him in his final days.

Dad always loved a good party, so in his honour, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Dr. James (Jim) Smart.