Worth Alfred Sweet, Jr.

Worth Alfred Sweet, Jr. – Sonny Sweet
July 14, 1939, to June 13, 2022

Our hero slipped into his final peaceful sleep on Monday, June 13,
2022, at his tranquil High Rock Lake home – his Sweet Escape - near
Lexington, NC. Doctors gave Sonny no more than nine months to live when
he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in 2013. Sonny didn’t so much
fight cancer as he ignored its menace and lived life to its fullest for eight
and a half years following the devastating diagnosis. Years of cancer
treatment so weakened him that his body simply failed his own
expectations.

Sonny’s vital life force, decisive leadership, compassion, mentoring,
radiant love, and so much more, are all far more meaningful than his inevitable death.
Everyone who knew him – those of us who loved him as well as acquaintances of a few
moments - reveled in the brilliant vitality of his infinite zest for life. Sonny’s raucous laughter
could fill a stadium with its peals of joy in the moment. He told entertaining stories for every
occasion with utter delight. Sonny’s light was brightest when he shone it on others – he was
thrilled to mentor all of us into becoming even more than we could be. He thoroughly relished
helping others.

Sonny’s deceased parents, Worth Alfred Sweet, Senior, and Rachel Williams Sweet,
were role models for his incredible life of service. His distinguished Army career began humbly
as a Private at Fort Jackson, SC, in 1961, and concluded when he retired in 1992 as a highly
decorated Full Colonel in the Army’s Military Intelligence branch. The Army so valued Sonny’s
service that they sent him to the University of Kansas to obtain his Master’s in History as well as
to the Air War College. Sonny, a Vietnam Combat Veteran, commanded at every level through
Brigade, and developed training innovations that became Army-wide practices. He truly loved
soldiers, and soared with the opportunities to serve them. He always said that his favorite
assignment was with the 101st Airborne Division – he was so proud of his Screaming Eagles.

Sonny’s focus on selfless service continued when he came back to his beloved NC
mountains as the Director of Watauga County’s Red Cross Chapter in 1995. His considerable
contributions to Boone and Watauga County included leadership in Henson Chapel United
Methodist Church, Boone Kiwanis, Mountaineer Ruritans, the High Country Chapter of the
Military Officers Association of America (he helped start our MOAA Chapter), and Meals on
Wheels. He helped initiate several continuing local events, such as Boone’s 4th of July Parade,
MOAA’s Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day celebrations, and the Blood, Sweat and Gears bicycle
ride. His comprehensive disaster planning was rivalled only by his personal dedication to
helping both first responders and victims across all types of catastrophic events. Sonny was
overjoyed to give back to his community and to give the credit for any successes to others.

Sonny’s greatest joy emerged in his boundless love for his family. He treasured his three
sons, Jonathan (Sonia), Nathan, and Brandt Sweet, and his daughter, Brianna Swartz (Joshua).
He cherished his three granddaughters, Rebecca Sweet, Taylor Swartz, and Alyssa Swartz, and is
also survived by his grandson, Steven Sweet. Sonny loved to laugh with his younger brother,
Edward Sweet (Eileen). Sonny’s fierce love for his wife, Bricca Sweet, was unparalleled.

Sonny wanted to persist in helping others once he became ill and he hoped to continue
helping beyond his own death. Rather than flowers, the family would appreciate donations to
Western Youth Network’s Sonny Sweet Scholarship Fund (WYN’s SSSF) at 155 WYN Way,
Boone, NC 28607 (https://donorbox.org/wyn_online_donation).

We will host our Celebration of A Hero’s Life on what would have been Sonny’s 83rd
birthday, July 14, 2022, at Appalachian State’s Grandview Ballroom, 135 Jack Branch Drive,
Boone, NC 28608, 10 am to 12 noon. You will be directed to parking. Help us celebrate Sonny
- wear bright colors and prepare (if so moved) to briefly share a funny story or fond memory
during these magical moments honoring Sonny’s sheer happiness and radiant love.

Be sure to smile when you think of Sonny Sweet, and reach your hand with love,
kindness, and help to another human being. Hold dear what an honor it is to have known and
shared love with such an incredible man!