George R. Sprinkle Sr.

Leicester George Ralph Sprinkle, Sr., 67, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 20, 2017 at his home. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired after serving 33 years in Law Enforcement as a Detective Sergeant with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Dept and was the 2003 Officer of the Year for Buncombe County. He also worked with the Black Mountain Police Dept for a short time, was a member of FOP (Fraternal Order of Police), was a graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School, took Basic Law Enforcement Training at A-B Tech and classes at the NC Justice Academy, was a late model sportsman race car driver at the Asheville Motor Speedway as well as in the Busch Grand National Series, and attended Trinity Baptist Church. Mr. Sprinkle was a son of the late Frederick Ralph Sprinkle and Juanita Sprinkle and was also preceded in death by two brothers, Edwin Sprinkle and Dale Sprinkle. Surviving are his wife of 13 years, Pam Messer Sprinkle of the home; children, George Sprinkle, Jr. (Shawna) of Fletcher, Amy Hughey (Michael) of Weaverville and Katlin Gonzalez (Jonathan) of Asheville; step children, Jessica Honeycutt (Nathan) of Candler and Nathan Troutman (Kristin) of the home; grandchildren, Jenna, Chelsea, Gracee, Kiera, Noah, Shawn, Olivia, Lucas, Aniyah, Raelynn, Haley, Rylee and a grandson on the way; sister, Pamela Rice (Norman) of West Asheville; brothers, Frederick Ralph Sprinkle, Jr. of Asheville and Jerry Sprinkle (Patty) of Camden, SC; grandmother-in-law, Margaret Baker; best friends, Mike Wright, Fred Tennant and Larry McMahan; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Friday, March 24, 2017 at Trinity Baptist Church Chapel with Rev. Allen Rash and Rev. Dr. Buddy Corbin officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, and also for 1 hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: FOP Auxiliary, PO Box 271, Asheville, NC 28802.