Ken Sides, 51, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2012 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.  A native of Cleveland County, he was the son of Emma Jean Broome Sides of Shelby and the late Jerry Melvin Sides.  Ken was retired from Asphalt Paving of Shelby after 20 years of service.  Most recently Ken was co-owner of S & D Auto Salvage in Grover. He was involved in dirt track racing from a very early age.  He successfully built and raced cars throughout most of his life at Cherokee Motor Speedway.  He loved his fans and returned that love by giving away his winning trophy and cap to a younger fan at the race.  Ken was a loving husband and father and very committed to his family.

Ken is survived by his wife of 27 years, Paula White Sides; daughter, Kristen Sides Hughes and husband Brian of Shelby; sister, Linda Clark and husband Richard of Boiling Springs; several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012 in the Chapel of Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.  The Rev. Keith Dixon will be officiating.  Burial will follow in Cleveland Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.  At other times the family will be at the home.

Memorials may be given to the Cleveland County Chapter of the American Heart Association, 222 South Church Street # 303, Charlotte, NC 28202.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Sides.