R. Sidney Boone

R. Sidney Boone, of Madison WI, died at home on November 20, 2025 after a lengthy illness, accompanied by family and the stellar support of Agrace Hospice.

Sid was born in New Tazewell, TN on July 10, 1937, and was raised in Paris, TN. He earned forestry degrees at Louisiana State University and Duke University, and spent most of his career as a researcher with the U.S. Forest Service, working in the South, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin, the final 22 years at the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison developing standards for lumber drying.

Sid had a lifelong interest in music, playing in college marching & dance bands and later singing in the Madison Symphony Chorus, and for over 50 years in the choir at Grace Episcopal Church, a community he loved. He was also at home in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, boating, and walking in the woods, activities he pursued in Wisconsin and Tennessee in a happy retirement.

Sid was preceded in death by his parents C.D. Boone and Vera Jane (Gentry) Boone. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Boring) Boone, daughter Sherry (John) Whitt, son Jeff (Ellice Lee) Boone, and grandchildren Laura Whitt and Ian Whitt.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, December 19 at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Church. We're grateful for the life of our husband, father, grandfather & friend.

Please share your memories of Sid by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434