Ian Kenneth Smith

Ian Kenneth Smith, 60, of Jackson, Michigan, passed away Monday, October 6, 2025. Ian was born July 9, 1965 in Lansing, Michigan to Mary Anne (Hanlon) Smith and Kenneth Ian Smith.
Ian attended Lansing Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1983. He attended Lansing Community College and Ripon College in Wisconsin. Ian retired August 1, 2025, 35 years to the day he was hired by Amtrak. He served loyally as Station Agent, Conductor and Engineer over his long career. Trains were a huge part of his life, from the days of riding his bike with his brother and friends around Lansing to follow Conrail, Chessie, or Norfolk Southern, to road-tripping to Altoona, Pennsylvania to visit Horseshoe curve. Most recently he had purchased a plot of land in California, fittingly next to railroad tracks, and was planning on making the big move to the state as he had fallen in love with the state's majestic beauty. Ian never had children of his own, but he had many feline babies over the years, and will be sorely missed by his current baby MoMo.
Ian was preceded in death by his loving grandparents.
He is survived by his mother Mary Anne (Hanlon) Smith of East Lansing, father Kenneth Ian Smith of Lansing, brother Graham William Smith of Osaka, Japan, sister Ann-Marie Mapes (Joseph), nephew Lowell and niece Mamie Jane, all of Lansing and special friend, Clarissa Bowen of Fresno, California. He also leaves behind a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, former co-workers and fellow train fans.
Donations can be made in Ian's name to "Saved by Zade" at https://savedbyzade.com.
A celebration of life will be planned for a later date. "When the train whistle blows, it speaks to the soul of the adventurer within"