Sidney Albert Small, 94, died peacefully and surrounded by family and friends on November 7, 2019 in Raleigh, NC. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Delores K. Small, and is survived by his children, Douglas R. Small of Whitestone, VA, Dianne P. Small of Cary, NC, and Andrew T. Small, currently residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; daughter-in-law, Brigitte Wolf Small of Whitestone, VA; sister, Genevieve Sparks of Santa Cruz, CA and brother, Frank Small of Pismo Beach, CA, along with a myriad nieces and nephews and their families.
Sidney was born to Cora Loumima Small (nee Truesdell) and Sidney Smith Small in Los Angeles, CA on February 12, 1925. He lived in California with his beloved wife Delores and their three children until 1964. He was promoted as a salesman with American Airlines to a city manager in Charleston, WV, then Knoxville, TN, and finally concluded his 40-year career with American Airlines in Columbus, OH from 1970-1988.
Sidney and Delores moved to Cary, NC in 1989. He returned to work with American Airlines as a Customer Service Evaluation Program Manager, offering friends free air travel so that they could help American Airlines better their customer service. Both he and Delores were active in the White Plains United Methodist Church and made many outstanding friends in the Pathfinders Sunday School Class.
Sidney was a longtime member and one-time chapter president of Skål, a travel-industry club, and he told many stories of his hotel and airline friends and their love of food and travel. He was also an active member of MacGregor Ups and Downs Investment Club and treasured the many friendships he made there. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, tracing his lineage back seven generations to the struggle for American Independence.
Sidney's was a life of service, helping others at church functions, Rotary International, Toastmasters, Golden Kiwanis, and many others we do not know of. He had a particular interest in helping advance modern medicine by participating in several drug trials at Duke Medical Center.
Sidney served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1947 and was stationed on a destroyer in the Pacific at the end of WWII and witnessed atomic test explosions. His life was spent dedicated to his family, country, work, church, and friends. He was a hero and a rock to those who knew him well.
A service to honor Sidney's life will held 1:00 pm Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at White Plains United Methodist Church, 313 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the White Plains United Methodist Church Memorial Garden.
Our family is humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love we've received. Please know how appreciative we are for every call, text, email, card, and expression of kindness. Thank you.
Arrangements with Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary.
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