James "Jim" Sparger

James “Jim” Sparger, age 100, passed away Tuesday, November 2nd in Asheville. Born September 7th, 1921 in Greensboro, he was the youngest child of the late Fred and Matilda Sparger. Jim is predeceased by his two brothers, Fred and Tatum, as well as his sisters Jean and Elizabeth. Graduating from Greensboro Senior High School (now Grimsley High) in 1939, he subsequently enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill. In 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy and was selected for the V-12 program at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated in 1945 with a degree in Engineering. On December 26, 1947, Jim married Amanda Medford Bell of Burlington, remaining married until Amanda’s passing in December of 2017, 13 days shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. Recalled to active duty during the Korean War, Jim served as Damage Control Officer on the USS Hawkins. Upon release from active duty, Jim returned to Greensboro where he stayed active in the local naval reserve unit, serving twice as commanding officer until he retired in 1967 with the rank of Commander. Jim remained a life member of the Association of the USN. For twenty-four years, Jim was employed by Home Federal Savings & Loan in Greensboro. He rose in the firm to become Senior Vice President in charge of all mortgage functions. In 1977, he and Amanda moved to Durham, where he became President of the First Federal Savings & Loan. Active in his community and professional circles, Jim was a charter member of Piedmont Chapter 153 of The Society of Real Estate Appraisers (Greensboro). In 1966, he became Senior Residential Appraiser, later serving as President of the Chapter, Chairman of the NC Regional Center of SREA Market Data Center and on the board of SREA. A long-time member of the Elks Lodge since 1960, he was elected Exalted Ruler for 1969-70 in Greensboro and served five years as trustee, later remaining active with the Elks Lodge in both Durham and Asheville. Jim served as elder, deacon and trustee of Guilford Park Presbyterian Church and for seven years was treasurer of the Presbyterian Council for Church Extension for greater Greensboro. He served as trustee for the Presbytery of Orange, PC USA. In Durham, he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, and later in Asheville at Trinity United Methodist Church. Jim retired in 1989 and, in 1994, he and Amanda moved to Candler to live close to family. For many years, he could be found daily at the Lake Junaluska Golf Course. He is survived by his two children, Jay Sparger (Susan) of Leicester and Meg Hoffman (Ed) of Atlanta, and his three grandchildren, Sam Sparger of Charlotte, Will Sparger of Leicester, and Amanda Sparger of Auckland, NZ. At Jim’s request, services are to be private for the immediate family. He will be interred at the NC Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, alongside his wife Amanda

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