[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E761-E762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING PRESIDENT EMERITUS GARY LAMAR ``SPARKY'' REEVES

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 8, 2023

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated 
husband, loving father, doting grandfather, astute entrepreneur, 
esteemed educator and friend of longstanding, South Georgia Technical 
College President Emeritus, Gary Lamar ``Sparky'' Reeves. Sadly, 
President Reeves transitioned this life from labor to reward on August 
2, 2023. A funeral service celebrating his remarkable life was held at 
2:00 pm on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at First Methodist Church in 
Americus, Georgia.
  The genesis of Sparky Reeves' life began on March 27, 1949, as he was 
born to the union of Earl and Odessa Devereaux Reeves in Zebulon, 
Georgia. Born a fighter, as an infant, he defied the odds with the 
removal of an intestinal tumor at Egleston Hospital. His parents were 
told by doctors that he would not live to be four years old, but he 
did. Sparky, as he was named by his little league baseball coach 
because he reminded him of a spark plug, was a dedicated Boy Scout, 
ultimately becoming an Eagle Scout in 1964. He graduated from Robert 
Lee High School on May 30, 1967. Sparky then attended Georgia 
Southwestern College where he was active in intramural sports, was a 
member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and was elected Archon of the 
Gamma Xi Chapter. Sparky graduated with a bachelor's degree in business 
administration and obtained his Master's degree in 1973. A lifelong 
learner, Sparky also attended the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, 
and Dekalb College. The most significant experience of his life was 
during his college years when he met the love of his life, Patricia 
Allene Camp. They were married on August 8, 1971, and enjoyed 52 years 
of marriage. Today is the anniversary of that blessed union.
  After graduation, Sparky worked as a salesman for Altair Homes. His 
professional career ascended when he came to South Georgia Technical 
College in 1973. He served as an instructor, supervisor, and Vice 
President of Economic Development prior to being named President in 
2004. Sparky served as President from August 2004 through September, 
2015. He had many accomplishments during his time as president to 
include: growing the college's foundation from $3.7 million to $8.2 
million in assets; increasing the number of endowed scholarships from 8 
to 22; increasing the scholarships from 52 to more than 150 and 
founding the President's Club which exceeded $1 million in annual 
gifts. The ultimate collaborator and facilitator, President Reeves 
established ``Two Great Choices'', an initiative that created a 
partnership between South Georgia Technical College, Georgia 
Southwestern State University, the City of Americus,

[[Page E762]]

Sumter County, and local businesses. He and Allene established an 
endowed scholarship at the college, making him the first President to 
do so. He also served on the Technical College System of Georgia State 
Foundation Board following his retirement until 2022. Sparky was the 
first President in the Technical College System of Georgia to earn the 
title, ``President Emeritus.''
  It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space 
that we occupy here on this Earth.'' Sparky paid his rent, and he paid 
it well. Because of his lifetime of service to others, he received many 
awards and honors to include: The Americus Kiwanis Club Award; 
Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year; Boy 
Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award; Business Council of 
Georgia Achievement Award; Governor, South Georgia District Collegiate 
Civitan Club; GSW Aeolian Award; GSW Kaleidoscope Award; Outstanding 
Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow; Outstanding Service Award and 
Inaugural Sparky Reeves Sumter Trustee Lifetime Achievement Award; 
President of GSW Civitan Club; Rotary Club Outstanding Citizen Award; 
Rotary Club ``Paul Harris Fellow''; Sam Walton Business Leader; and 
Technical College Foundation of Georgia Benefactor of the Year.
  George Washington Carver once said that ``How far you go in life 
depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the 
aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the 
strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.'' 
This is how Sparky Reeves lived his life. He treated people the way 
they deserved to be treated and God blessed him beyond measure. Through 
many difficulties in his life from an intestinal tumor, quintuple heart 
bypass surgery, cardiac arrest, and leukemia, he never complained and 
always lived by the motto: ``Every Day is Special.''
  Sparky accomplished much in his life but none of it would have been 
possible without the grace of God, the love and support of his beloved 
wife of 52 years Allene, and his three children, Kevin, Amanda, and 
Ryan.
  On a personal note, Sparky was my friend. Over the years, he gave me 
wise counsel, for which I will be forever grateful. Likewise, during 
his life, Sparky did so much for so many for so long. He touched 
countless lives and because he did, the world is a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, and me, along with 
the more than 765,000 people of the Second Congressional District in 
extending our deepest condolences to the family of President Emeritus 
Gary Lamar ``Sparky'' Reeves, his friends and all who mourn his loss. 
May we all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy 
Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________