FOR almost half a century, Gerald Lewis was involved in business in Crediton. He died on April 4, aged 81, and at his funeral service on April 19, Crediton Parish Church was filled with people from all parts of Gerald’s life.

The service was taken by the Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie, Rector of Crediton, who said that Gerald developed leukaemia last July but still made the most of his life, “always the same cheerful, good man that he was.” Gerald was rarely without a smile and a sparkle.

Born in Crediton in 1934, Gerald went to school in Copplestone and Haywards in Crediton. When World War Two broke out, his father, a motor mechanic, was called on to work at the Westland aircraft factory in Yeovil, so the family moved to Chard.

At the end of the war, they returned to Crediton to live on Bowden Hill. Gerald’s father built a garage on Mill Street, where Gerald worked with him.

In 1952 he was called up for National Service. A motor mechanic, he served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, seeing service in the Middle East during the Suez crisis.

When he was demobbed, Gerald joined Harper’s Aviation Company at Exeter Airport. He and Sylvia were married in 1956 and lived at Glen Creedy in a caravan.

Part of Gerald’s work was making the nose wheel doors for the British Vickers Valiant bomber which dropped the first British H-bomb.

He later worked nights at Heathcoats at the Crediton factory as an engineer which gave him the chance to start his business in 1969 as a domestic appliance repairer, working from home. So DAR was born, later to become Lewis’s and now run by his daughter, Hayley Greenslade.

Sylvia also worked in the business which moved from their home to the Pannier Market in Crediton, later to 39 High Street where they stayed for many years until the current premises was built on Lords Meadow.

Gerald became a Special Constable, receiving a long service medal. In the early 1970s he became a member of Unity Lodge in Crediton as a Freemason, something he much enjoyed, making many friends.

He was also a member of the Crediton branch Royal British Legion which, like the Masons, was represented by several members at the funeral service as well as Mike May, Standard Bearer with the RBL Standard.

Gerald and Sylvia had three children - Graham, Diana and Hayley. They had a home in Spain as well as travelling a great deal in this country in their motor home and, latterly, staying with Graham at Davidstow where he runs the RAF Museum.

Gerald and Sylvia had been together for 66 years. They have five grandchildren.

The service at Crediton Parish Church was followed by a private burial. Donations may still be made in Gerald’s memory for ELF c/o A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ.