RAYMOND ANTHONY FORKER

Raymond A. Forker died Sunday, August 20, 2006 at his residence. Mr. Forker was born May 18, 1917 in Freeport, Long Island. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1935 and was a proud 1940 graduate of Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Sciences in Industrial Management. Mr. Forker was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II and served in the European Theatre, including at Normandy. He held the rank of Lt. Commander. He began his career in Savannah as President of Vend It Corporation. He subsequently pursued his love of shipping and founded the Blue Star Shipping Company. Under his leadership, Blue Star Shipping leased Kings Bay Army Terminal in St. Mary’s, Georgia beginning in 1958.
Upon returning to Savannah, Mr. Forker founded the Aztec Trading Company and served as its President, operating innovative barge and tug vessels transporting cargo between Savannah and South and Central America. In 1966, he sold Aztec Trading to Georgia Pacific and served as President of the company until 1977. He also founded the Georgia Steamship Company which served as the shipping agent for Aztec Trading in Savannah and administered the port facilities in Port Wentworth, Georgia.

He served as President of the St. Mary’s Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Citizens& Southern Bank of Savannah and Director of the Savannah Art Association.

Mr. Forker was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Anne Marie Forker Morrissey and his brother, Monsignor Thomas Stanley Forker.

Surviving are, his wife of 67 years Clove Patricia Arnau Forker, his daughter & son-in-law, Rae Forker Evans & David Charles Evans, grandson, Raymond Anthony Forker Morrissey, granddaughter, Laura Morrissey Ludwig, granddaughter, Kristen Elizabeth Evans, grandson, David Forker Evans, great grandchildren, Adelaide Lillian Morrissey, Charlotte Patricia Forker Morrissey, Jarvis Peter Forker Morrissey and Hayden Ashley Ludwig.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, 2006 from 10 a.m. until his Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel.

Burial will be private.

Remembrances to the National World War Two Museum, c/o Craig Hall, 945 Magazine Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL