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Earl Small Killed In Copter Crash

by dean adams

Monday, October 20, 2008

George motorcycle dealer and race enthusiast Earl Small was killed over the weekend when the helicopter he was piloting crashed in New York.

 

Small owned a well-run Harley-Davidson VR 1000 Superbike team in the 1990s. His riders included San Francisco's Al Salaveria and several others.

 

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Just heard on the news that he died in a helicopter crash in Dryden, N.Y. over the weekend.

Any one have any details. He owened two Harley dealerships one in Cartersville and one other one in Marietta

 

I am friends with his sister. I got an e-mail this morning about it.

 

This is all it said

 

If you have not already heard my brother Earl was killed in a helicoptor accident Thurs. He was found by the Civil Air Patrol Sunday at 10:00 AM. Arrangements are pending. We will send another email with updates.

Please keep my family in your prayers

 

I found this through a google search:

 

 

 

 

Earl Small Killed In Copter Crash

by dean adams

Monday, October 20, 2008

George motorcycle dealer and race enthusiast Earl Small was killed over the weekend when the helicopter he was piloting crashed in New York.

 

Small owned a well-run Harley-Davidson VR 1000 Superbike team in the 1990s. His riders included San Francisco's Al Salaveria and several others.

 

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He also owns part of the airport in Villa Rica near Mirror lake.

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MARIETTA - Motorcycle and aviation enthusiast Earl L. Small, 57, died over the weekend in a helicopter crash shortly after taking off from Norwich, N.Y.

 

 

Small owned two Harley Davidson stores in Georgia: Earl Small's Harley Davidson on South Cobb Drive in Marietta, which he opened in 1986, and Harley Davidson of Cartersville, which he opened in 2001. He also purchased Carolina Honda in Columbia, S.C., and Stockmar Airport in Douglas County. He had homes in Powder Springs and Marietta.

 

New York State Police Aviation located Small's body and the helicopter about 11 a.m. Sunday on a ridge near Dryden, N.Y., about 60 miles from where he departed. The wreckage was strewn in a heavily wooded area among pine trees.

 

Small was in New York to purchase a helicopter, according to Bingham N.Y. television station WBNG-TV.

 

His family reported him missing Friday after he failed to check in following a flight to Ohio. The cause of the helicopter crash is unknown and is being investigated by the New York State Police, National Traffic Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

 

"It was a shock to all of us," said Rob Feller, marketing and public relations manager at Earl Small's Harley Davidson. "He will be sorely missed."

 

Feller said Small's passion was for motorcycles, flying and antique cars. He was known as a shrewd businessman with a great sense of humor, but often, his name preceded him in the South.

 

"I think people were in awe of him. He went after what he wanted and his persona was larger than life. If anyone knows about Harleys in or around this state, they know Earl's name," Feller said.

 

Small is survived by his wife, Rhonda, and two sons, Marshall and Mitchell. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory will announce funeral arrangements.

 

Ryan Rhode, Small's brother-in-law, said Small "was a very kind and caring person. He was always willing to do anything for you. He will be sadly missed."

 

Small's son, Marshall, was recently hired by the Powder Springs Police Department.

 

"Earl Small was a dedicated family man, a loving husband and father," according to a release from the police department. "He was very active in the community and will be sadly missed by all."

 

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Thanks I didn't know any details, I just heard last night. I ride a Harley that I purchased from Earl Smalls, and have always had a good dealing with the sales and service department. I had talked to Earl several times at bike shows and the dealer ships he owned. He was a nice guy to talk to and always took time to listen or help if you needed it. He will be missed.

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I had the pleasure of working for Earl for 2 1/2 years at the Silver Eagle Diner. He was a kind and generous man and very supportive of my education at CTC. I can remember a time when it was snowing and he gave me a ride home in his big truck. Of course we had to stop and do doughnuts in an icy parking lot, laughing like 2 teenagers. I was good friends with his wife Rhonda and would make their kids halloween costumes. I remember when he said he wanted to be a pilot and take flying lessons. I unexpectedly found this post, and I am deeply saddened to lose a great boss and friend. My heart goes out to Rhonda and the kids. If anyone finds out about the funeral arrangements, please contact me with the information as I would like to be there to support the family.

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I had the pleasure of working for Earl for 2 1/2 years at the Silver Eagle Diner. He was a kind and generous man and very supportive of my education at CTC. I can remember a time when it was snowing and he gave me a ride home in his big truck. Of course we had to stop and do doughnuts in an icy parking lot, laughing like 2 teenagers. I was good friends with his wife Rhonda and would make their kids halloween costumes. I remember when he said he wanted to be a pilot and take flying lessons. I unexpectedly found this post, and I am deeply saddened to lose a great boss and friend. My heart goes out to Rhonda and the kids. If anyone finds out about the funeral arrangements, please contact me with the information as I would like to be there to support the family.

 

 

This was in the above post, you might want to check with them.

 

 

 

Small is survived by his wife, Rhonda, and two sons, Marshall and Mitchell. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory will announce funeral arrangements.

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Thanks Lowrider....

 

 

I just looked on the website and nothing is listed. If I find anything I'll let you know.

 

I knew him many, many years ago.

 

I always bought my Harley stuff at his shop on South Cobb Drive.

 

This is just so incredibly sad for everyone. :(

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I just looked on the website and nothing is listed. If I find anything I'll let you know.

 

I knew him many, many years ago.

 

I always bought my Harley stuff at his shop on South Cobb Drive.

 

This is just so incredibly sad for everyone. :(

 

I appreciate it Lowrider, it's been many years since I worked for him, but he was really a great person. I am really, really sad about it...

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From the Earl Smalls HD website:

 

Visitations will be held Saturday, October 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30061. The funeral will be held Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 pm at the McEachern United Methodist Church on the corner of Macland Road and Lost Mountain in Powder Springs, GA.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society Esophageal Cancer Research, 1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd. Suite 280, Kennesaw, GA 30144, the EAA Young Eagles, PO Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 53903-3086 or McEachern United Methodist Church.

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Although I did not know this gentleman or family ... May he RIP!

 

I did hear on a station today that a "pseudo" tribute was going to happen with the next USO ride scheduled for 11/2 -- what an honor if that happens!

Please forgive me if I get this wrong as I was on the highway and could.not.write.anything.down!! -- but for more info ... something along the lines of www.earlsmall.com, entering in USO for information.

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I got this information from Randy Snyder of FULL THROTTLE.

 

 

 

 

The motorcycle community has lost one of its great leaders. As you may have heard, Earl L. Small, Jr. was killed in a helicopter crash last week in New York State. He was widely known and respected throughout the motorcycle community. In 1986 he opened Earl Small's Harley-Davidson in Marietta, GA and in 2001 he opened Harley-Davidson of Cartersville. Earl and his dealerships have always been involved in the charitable endeavors that are important to the motorcycle community but have also been involved in the local community as well. He was a man that led by example and as a result people proudly followed.

"Thanks to all the customers, friends, business associates and Harley riders who have stopped by the store to pay their respects. In a time of need, it is always great to have a circle of friends and family!"

 

If you would like to pay your respects, visitations will be held Saturday, October 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30061.

 

The funeral will be held Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 pm at the McEachern United Methodist Church on the corner of Macland Road and Lost Mountain in Powder Springs, GA.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to:

- The American Cancer Society Esophageal Cancer Research, 1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 280, Kennesaw, GA 30144 or

- The EAA Young Eagles, PO Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 53903-3086 or

- The McEachern United Methodist Church.

 

Both the Marietta Store and the Cartersville Store will be closed Sunday October 26, 2008 for the services.

 

If you would like to join in a ride to McEachern United Methodist Church, please see the information below:

Harley-Davidson of Cartersville: Sunday, October 26th -- Ride staging will begin at 11:00am in the parking lot of the store. The ride will leave the store at 11:30am, take US-411 to US-41S to Mars Hill Road, then right on Mars Hill to the church. All bikers are welcome! For more information, please contact Sherry Wrublesky at (678) 721-0203 or events@hdcartersville.com.

 

Earl Smalls Harley-Davidson (Marietta): Sunday, October 26th -- Ride staging will begin at 12:00N in the parking lot of the store at 993 S. Cobb Drive. The ride will leave the dealership at 12:30pm, take Beech to Sandtown to Powder Springs Road to Macland Road to the church. All bikers are welcome. For more information, please contact Bob Fremin at (770) 919-0000 or bobfremin@earlsmallshd.com.

 

 

 

 

from here

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