Local Businessman Killed In Crash Days After Purchasing Helicopter

POSTED: 5:55 am EDT October 21, 2008
UPDATED: 6:38 am EDT October 21, 2008


CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. -- Friends and family are mourning the loss of a well-known metro Atlanta businessman.

Earl Small Jr. was killed when the helicopter he was flying went down in upstate New York. Investigators found Small's body with the wreckage early Sunday morning.


He owned Earl Small's Harley-Davidson of Marietta and Harley-Davidson of Cartersville, as well as Stockmar Airport in Douglas County.

Small had just purchased the helicopter Wednesday.

"Every holiday he would always be doing something with us just so he could have fun too," said Small's niece, Miranda Rhode.


"He was a very kind and generous man and always full of life and he always lived life to its fullest. He will be sadly missed," said Small's brother-in-law, Ryan Rhode.

The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.

Small leaves behind a wife and two sons.
Copyright 2008 by WSBTV.com. All rights

 

Our prayers to the family and friends....

 

Very sad news. His dealerships are very active in charitable fund-raising, and sort of old school HD stores. Didn't buy my bike from his store, but was always well-treated for parts and service work.

Prayers offered for him, his family, and friends. Thanks for the heads-up, Lyn.

 

Our Prayers for the family and friends. God Bless.

 

Very sad news. RIP Earl.

 

Sad news for the family.

I guess I was right when I left the dealer pissed on Sat. and said that I wouldn't give Earl another dime of my money.

 

I'll have to locate my Earl Smalls t-shirt and wear it in his honor next time I ride.

R.I.P.

 

Well that is way too bad. Never met the man, but I have been in his dealership 100's of times and bought one bike from them. Hate for that too happen to him, but I have heard that he had a succession plan with his GM to take over ownership, so hopefully the stores will go on as they have.

 

Ride In Peace Brother! Our thoughts & prayers are with the family.

 

I'm real sorry to hear I go there quite a bit actually and really like the srevice

our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family