Doug Small with jockey Jerry Fishback in the early 1970s. (Douglas Lees photo)
Douglas Reid Small Jr., the champion steeplechase jockey in 1965, suffered an injury while mountain biking with his dog in Fair Hill, Md., and died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 11, surrounded by his wife, four daughters, several grandchildren, and his dog, Otis, laying on the bed with him.
He was the husband of Lori Small, with whom he shared 31 years of marriage.
Born in Champagne, Ill., in 1943, Doug was the son of the late horseman Douglas Reid Small and the late Jane Watters Small.
Doug was a man of many talents. He studied and became a Master Naturalist, culminating his lifelong love and passion for all living things. He was an avid fly fisherman, bee keeper, artist, gardener, mountain biker, dog trainer, wood worker, reader, and tinkerer.
He loved the thrill of winning a race, whether on a horse or bicycle, against his children or grandchildren.
Dougie was a steeplechase jockey for many outstanding trainers, including his then father-in-law, W. Burling Cocks, and his uncle Sidney Watters. When Doug left the racing world, he recreated himself as an architect and builder of custom post-and-beam and historic reproduction homes.
He and Lori founded Waterbury Associates, a design, build, kitchen, and millwork business. He also was a landscape designer and had a great sense of natural settings.
Doug honored his love of humanity and creatures by donating his time and expertise to help anyone in need, be it a family member, an animal, a community member, or someone seeking sobriety.
He was predeceased by a younger brother, Richard Small, a prominent trainer on the Maryland circuit who died of cancer in 2014. A week before his death, Doug had spoken at the memorial service for Paddy Neilson, his close friend and fellow steeplechase jockey.
In addition to his wife, Doug is survived by his daughters, Susannah Small, Micaela Raine, Jessica Moutenot-Small, and Mandy Morgan; and his grandchildren Tulai and Bohden Raine, Fenya, Benjamin, and Lucas Siepser, Kaelo and Ryse Moutenot-Small, and Riker Morgan. He is also survived by his siblings Stephen Small, Sass Merryman, Jacqueline Parashar, and Alistair Small.
His family will be having a private celebration of his life and request that you visit the guestbook at www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com to share your memories and stories. His family is eager to collect and preserve them.
Should you care to make a donation in honor of Doug’s stewardship of nature, please visit
www.fairhillnature.org.
Arrangements by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square, Pa.