Pawleys Island: Ray Sparks passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, in the loving care of his son, Bill. Ray was a caring man with a generous spirit, a sense of humor and a love of life. He was born in Washington, D.C. in 1920 to Jared Earnest and Georgianna Boswell Sparks. At the age of twelve his father died and he was forced to leave school to help support his mother and himself. Through the help of his older sister, Anna, he began his banking career in the mailroom of Lincoln National Bank. Lincoln eventually merged with Riggs National Bank and after 42 years he retired as Senior Vice President of Riggs. Ray served as a radioman for the Coast Guard during World War II. Through his sister Emily's husband, Bruce Lee, he had been introduced to the love of his life, Bruce's niece, Georgie Brogdon. During the war he and Georgie were married in 1944. After the war he attended night school to complete high school and later received his college degree from Ben Franklin College, now a part of George Washington University. Ray loved nature and animals and enjoyed fishing and gardening. He also wrote poetry and taught himself to play the piano and organ. He and Georgie were dedicated golfers. They retired to Pawley's Island and thoroughly enjoyed the beach, travel and visits from friends and family. Ray was preceded in death by his beloved Georgie in 2005. He leaves Rick Sparks and Mike Lonzo (of Los Angeles, CA,) Bill Sparks and Debora (of Charlotte, NC,) Kathy Hajjar and Richard Hajjar (of Brookeville, MD,) grandchildren Heather Sparks, Mark and Sandy Hajjar, Jason and Ashley Sparks, Lee and Melissa Hajjar, Jessica Sparks Tucker and Richard Tucker, Zachary Sparks, Rebecca Sparks and great-grandchildren, Dylan Sylva Tucker, Bella Massino, Cobi Tucker and Ethan Sparks. His dear dog, Jake, is bereft with his passing. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Prince George Winyah Episcopal Churchyard in Georgetown. Assistant Rector, the Rev. Andrew Morgan will preside. The family is thankful for the care given by Susan and Stacy Glover to Georgie and to Ray. They are also very grateful for the attention and support provided by Heartland Hospice of Conway, especially by Virginia, Willie, Carla, Denise and Diane. Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ray's memory to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund (hospicefund@hcr-manorcare.com), 333 N. Summit St., Toledo, OH 43604, or to Belle Baruch Hobcaw Barony for estuarine and coastal education and research (www.hobcawbarony.org), 22 Hobcaw Rd., Georgetown, SC 29440. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440