FOLEY — Baldwin County Coroner James “Jim” Small, 68, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.

Small was a graduate of Auburn University and began working for the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, first at Auburn, then Montgomery, as a toxicologist before moving to the Mobile Division and retired as a forensic scientist.

He then worked as an investigator for the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office before being elected Baldwin County Coroner in 2006.

He enjoyed rebuilding and showning classic antique cars, had an incredible love for fishing and most of all his grandkids.

Survivors include two sons, Samuel J. Small of Stapleton and Ray C. Small of Spanish Fort; three step-daughters, Kimberly Alexander and Victoria Norrell, both of Birmingham, and Ashleigh Pyle of La Grange, Ga.; a sister, Pauline Chambers of Hartwell, Ga.; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service for Small will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale. Visitation begins at 1 p.m.

The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or your favorite charity.

Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Robertsdale.

Wednesday, Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack told county commissioners that Small had developed an infection after surgery a few weeks ago.

Apparently Small was admitted to the hospital Sunday.

As of now, deputy coroners Stan Vinson and Ron Steade will handle the coroner’s office duties, and Alabama law says that the Sheriff's Office can assume those duties if a coroner is not able to serve.