Kenneth Michael Sugarman

Born in 1939 to his parents Bernard and MIriam, Kenny was a native San Antonian, and a proud graduate of Jefferson High School. Kenny was an enthusiastic attendee of high school class reunions throughout the years, no surprise given how many lasting friends he made at school. From Jefferson High, he then studied at the University of Texas at Austin where he pledged Sigma Alpha Mu, and majored in Waterskiing. As much as he did in high school, Kenny made lifelong friends as a Sammy at UT, many of whom he counted as his closest friends today.

Post college, Kenny started his career working in the family business, Sugarmans Uniforms. This would be the start of a successful run in the textile business, but given his gregarious personality, it would not be where he ended his career; he was invited by a fellow Jefferson grad to get into the Commercial Real Estate business, where he also excelled. From San Antonio, Kenny opened the Nashville branch of the company he worked for, before parting ways and moving to Houston. After several years in Houston, he decided to capitalize on his natural ability with machines and tools, so he returned to San Antonio and embarked on his last career change, starting Riteway Service Company. Like his other endeavors, Riteway was successful but never more so than when his wife came on board to run the company with him, thereby freeing him to do what he did best: networking.

While Kenny loved making new friends and contacts, networking with organizations such as Rotary, The Chamber Of Commerce and First Friday was only the most recent of his passions. As a child he loved gadgets, a love he remained true to throughout his life, much to his wifes chagrin. His love of gadgets evolved into cars and then the speedboats he used for water skiing. From there, he found the toy hes most frequently associated with: motorcycles. He loved riding and taking people on rides, which he would do at the drop of a hat. From a smaller Honda, to a bigger Norton to the Harley-Davidson he rode proudly, sporting harley-branded shirts, headbands and anything else with the Harley label on it, he loved riding. But even that passion evolved; Kenny took up flying private planes later in life, but with the enthusiasm of a much younger person. He used any excuse to fly, so it was no surprise that he found a way to use his love of flying to help others: Kenny was an Angel Flight pilot for years, ferrying sick people from remote areas to hospitals and treatment centers where they could get the attention they could not get at home.

Kenny had a wonderful baritone singing voice that he used frequently, singing funny songs to friends (or acquaintances) using their names. Old friends and new were always greeted with a booming laugh, and frequently a nickname. Outside of his fun-loving nature, this may be what we will miss most about him; Kenny never met a stranger, only a friend he hadnt met yet.

Kenny took pride in his skills, his business success and his friends, but it was his family of whom he was the most proud. Both of his boys brought him happiness each in their own way, but his daughter gave him grandchildren and that (and they) brought him so much joy. He is survived by his devoted spouse of 58 years, Carol, whom he called his beautiful wife to his last day, his sister Sandra Rosenberg whom he adored, his children Michael, Amy and her husband Dan Weingart, Andrew, and his grandchildren Ethan, Claire and Lindsay Weingart, as well his 4 nieces, their husbands and their children. He was also particularly close with his cousins whom he greatly loved as well. And not lastly, he is survived by his beloved Shaina Maidl Sugarman.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2022

1:30 P.M.

TEMPLE BETH ELWULFE SANCTUARY

211 BELKNAP PLACE

Click here to view Mr. Kenneth Sugarman's service.