This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Sparks, West, Gunter, Hickman, Kelly, Bannerot, Rogers, Simpson Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/plB.2ACI/3423 Message Board Post: George Sparks Sept. 26, 1921 - Aug. 20, 2005 George Sparks, 83, of Palacios, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2005, in Houston, Texas. He was born September 26, 1921, in Waco, Texas, to Ernest C. and Jennie West Sparks. He attended high school in Blanco, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M University with a BA and master’s degrees in agriculture education. He taught agriculture for 10 years before becoming a rice farmer and rancher near Palacios in 1958. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a First Lt. in the 54th Armored Infantry, 18th Division. On November 27, 1944, his squad was captured by the Germans during the battle at the Siegfried Line. After five months as a P.O.W., he was liberated by the American troops in April 29, 1945. He is survived by: his wife of 58 years, Beulah Mae (Gunter) Sparks of Palacios; his sister, Mary M. Hickman of Midland; nephew, Jack Hickman of Midland; nieces, Shirley (Gunter) Kelly of Ganado, and Joyce (Gunter) Bannerot of Austin; great-niece, Rachel Hickman of Midland; great-nephews, Travis Rogers of San Diego, California, and Gunter Kelly of Ganado; and by his sister-in-law, Willie M. Simpson of Ganado. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church of Palacios, with the Rev. Ray Wells officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery in Blessing, Texas. Pallbearers will be Gene Allen, Alton Nelsen, Dean Kubecka, Sonny Johs, Joe Ray Beard and John Toellner. Honorary pallbearers are the Palacios Lions Club and United Methodist Men. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 209 Lucas, Palacios, TX 77465. Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home, Palacios, Texas (361)972-2012. Bay City Tribune August 24, 2005 Matagorda County, Texas