George Eugene Spain Sr.

George Eugene Spain was the son of David Allen Spain and Lena Jennie Sanford Spain, Vance County, NC and husband to Gladys Allen Spain of Aynor, S. C. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and five siblings; Virgie Elizabeth Spain Ball; David Allen Spain, Jr.; Erwin Sanford Spain; John Percy Spain; and Edward Thomas Spain.

He was a graduate of Dabney High School, Vance County, NC; Rice Business College, Charleston, SC and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at N. C. State University. He was a veteran of the US Navy with both radioman and signalman's rating. Before and after his Navy service, he was a fireman for the Pennsylvania Railroad out of Baltimore, Md. He also served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in Yosemite National Park in California.

After receiving his MS degree in agronomy at N.C. State, he was employed as an Agronomy Extension Specialist by the Cooperative Extension Service. After transitioning to the N. C. Department of Agriculture as Director of the Seed and Fertilizer Division, he retired as the Director of the Plant Industry Division.

He was regionally and nationally recognized for his leadership in seed testing and seed regulatory work; for his advocacy for seed analysts training and for a more prominent recognition of seed germination vigor testing. He was President of several regional and national seed associations.

He was privileged to hold leadership activities as a student, in his profession and in other interests in his life. He was a member and past President of the Capital City Kiwanis Club. He was a member of Forest Hill Baptist Church where he was active in supporting roles for their Boy Scouts of America Troop and Explorer post. He served as institutional representative and assistant Explorer post adviser.

His life was filled with interest in rose culture, carpentry, travel, music, yard work, chair caning, walking, and Christmas trees (which started as a Boy Scout project) but foremost was his family. He could be called a patriarch for many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws as well as his own family. He said that his life was "A miracle gift from God."

He is survived by a daughter Mary Spain Border and husband Chuck; sons George Spain, Jr. (Chuck) and his wife Rebecca and Joseph Ashley Spain and his wife Jo Ann Spain.

His 8 grandchildren are Margaret Hogan and husband John, Rick Border, Sid Border and wife Deanna, Justin Spain, Kacy Spain, Ryan Spain, Collin Spain, and Russell Lewis and wife Missy.

His great grandchildren are Parker Hogan, Cameron Hogan, Eli Border, Logan Border, McCaul Border, Logan, Luke and Will Lewis.

In declining health, he spent his recent years in great joy and appreciation with his daughter, Mary and husband Chuck Border in their home in the mountains of Waynesville, NC.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 29th, 2013 at 1 pm with services to follow at 2 pm at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Forest Hill Baptist Church, 200 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27606 or a charity of your choice.