Family and friends fought back the tears to pay a loving tribute to an Oxford man who lived life to the full today.

Summertown-born Justin Freeman, known as 'Jaz', died in Malaysia on July 8 - two days short of his 40th birthday.

He had spent more than a month fighting for his life in Penang General Hospital following a car crash.

At yesterday's funeral at Oxford Crematorium loved ones described the 39-year-old heavy metal fan as a kind and generous man who was passionate about music, life and his family and friends.

Led by Rebecca Vincent, from the British Humanist Association, the service in St John's Chapel featured Liverpool Football Club's You'll Never Walk Alone and Ozzy Osbourne's Goodbye To Romance.

Cousin Philip Rolfe remembered growing up with Mr Freeman in Summertown in the 1970s and 80s.

He said: "I remember the year he got his new speakers for Christmas. I thought the front of his house was going to blow off.

"Jaz was a regular livewire when he was young. He knew so many people who were always pleased to see him and hang out."

Mr Rolfe said when they were children his cousin could complete a Rubik's Cube in under a minute and tear up the streets with his skateboard.

For the past two years, Mr Freeman had been living and working in Malaysia - initially as a production manager for Witney-based Alden Press and then for international firm Conway Printing Company Inc.

Mr Rolfe told mourners: "The fact Jaz was on the other side of the world wasn't a problem. I knew we would meet again some time soon.

"He would have hated it in England anyway - what with the smoking ban and paying £4 a pint.

"I guess we will catch up some day, but it will be a longer wait than I had hoped."

Lifelong friend Owen Carney, 40, from Marston, remembered meeting Mr Freeman at school.

He said: "He was a good friend, a best friend. We all have so many memories. He was a best friend, partner, brother and son."

Mr Freeman's family, who flew from Oxford to his bedside in Penang when they heard about the accident, had expected him to survive his injuries.

His father Roger, mother Jenny, sister Melanie and partner of two years, Ling, were preparing to transfer him to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Ultimately, however, pneumonia claimed Mr Freeman's life.

Angie Spendlove, his mother's partner, spoke on behalf of the family at the funeral.

She said: "Jaz made many friends in Malaysia, as he did in England.

"He was a kind and generous to the full and unashamed to show emotion. He was uninhibited and wild, passionate and sympathetic.

"He was totally unmaterialistic and unassuming and loved by so many for so many reasons."

Following the funeral family and friends gathered at the Oxford Centre in Banbury Road for a wake.