James Richard Small

James Richard Small, 92, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 22, 2024. Jim was born in Evansville, IN on April 5, 1932, to Edward J. and Wilma J. Small. Jim graduated from F.J. Reitz High School in Evansville, class of 1949, received a BA degree in Chemistry from Evansville College (now the University of Evansville) in 1953 and a MS degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida in 1955. He served in the US Army Chemical Corps (1955-57), developing test methods for nerve gasses at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.

Jim worked as a chemist for the DuPont Company Film Department in Circleville, Ohio, then returned to Evansville to work as an analytical chemist and spectroscopist for Mead Johnson and Co. In 1963 he accepted a position as a Development Specialist for General Electric Co. in Mt. Vernon, IN. He and his family then relocated to Newark, Delaware in 1969, when he accepted a position with the Dupont Company, Analytical Instrument Division, from which he retired in 1993. During this period, Jim held positions in technical marketing, product management, export sales manager and business manager. Following his retirement, Jim consulted for five years in the application of process analytical chemistry in chemical plants and petroleum refineries, both in the US and overseas.

Jim traveled extensively during his career with DuPont, particularly to Europe and the Far East. One noteworthy trip was an invitation to lecture on analytical chemistry instrumentation in China in 1976, when there were only about 200 visas provided by China for entry of US citizens for the entire year. Jim and his wife Dorothy (Dot) remained in Delaware after his retirement but wintered in Florida on Anna Maria Island for ten years. After Dot’s death, Jim met Marilyn. They were married in 2013 and purchased a home in North Venice where they lived half of each year, spending the remainder of the year at their home in Indiana.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Dot) Small, his two brothers, David Small and Norman Small and his eldest son, Mark Small.

Jim is survived by his wife of 11 years, Marilyn Small; sons Brian Small (Rosa) and Gregory Small (Karen Heard), Mark’s widow, Pam Small; grandchildren Nathan Small (Lynn), Leslie Small (Alex Kneupper), and Sean Small; great-grandchildren, Claudia Small, Vienna Small, Iris Kneupper, and Celeste Kneupper; and nieces and nephews. Jim is also survived by three stepchildren, Lisa Kelsey Moore (Randy), Kristina Sanders (George), and Donnie Dowell (Lori); 8 step grandchildren, 6 step great-grandchildren, Vicki Spangler, whom Jim thought of as a daughter and Willow, the dog he loved.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Methodist Temple 2109 Lincoln Ave officiated by Pastor Randy Moore. Friends and family may visit 1:00 p.m. until service time at the Church.

The family wants to thank Compassus Hospice Care, Erica Duckworth and Kamekka Patterson for their care, especially during his final days.

Memorial contributions may be made to Methodist Temple.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com