George William Sparling, 95, of Hurley

HURLEY » George William Sparling, 95, died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

George was born on Feb. 4, 1923, to Ralph and Morna Sparling in Kingston, N.Y., and grew up in the Village of Saugerties. George lived a rich and full life. He was a World War II veteran, career tool maker, and wonderful husband and father. When George was 18 years old, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and aspired to become a pilot. He trained to fly the B-24 Liberator and as a first lieutenant flew 23 missions over five countries as copilot, from January to May 1945. When he left the service in 1947, he had risen to the rank of captain. After the war, George learned the trade of model maker and was employed first by General Electric in Schenectady,

N.Y., and then IBM in Kingston, N.Y., where he retired in 1991. One of George’s wishes in life was to live in Colorado and near the Rocky Mountains. So, in June of 1991, he moved to Mead, Colo., following the death of his wife, Agnes (Tobiassen). He became an avid Rockies fan, taking his grandchildren to the games at Coors Field whenever he could. He also assisted in building two family cabins in Drake, where he loved to spend his days during the summer months. He remarried in 2001 to Patricia (Rhind) Perkins, who

had three daughters, Linda Basford (Steve), Peggy Horton (TJ), and Bobbi Schaler; and several grandchildren.

George is survived by his four children, Patricia Koehler (John), Jeanne Sparling (John), William Sparling (Alicia), and Mickey Sparling (Patti); nine grandchildren; one granddaughter, Lisa Ayres (Lovell); and five greatgrandchildren.

George Sparling touched the lives of the many people who cared for him and who were an important part of his large extended family. He will be dearly missed.