Raymond Lowell Bancroft, 76, of Franklin, NC, passed away Monday, July 31, 2006.

Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Charles Lowell Bancroft and Naomi Effie Wilson Bancroft. He was also preceded in death by his sister June Bancroft and brother William Bancroft. Always interested in journalism and editing, he edited junior high, senior high and university newspapers. He attended George Washington University in Washington, DC, majoring in American History. During a four-year hitch in the U.S. Air Force, he worked in public information offices in Alabama and Korea where he edited the Jet Gazette, the Kimpo Air Base paper, for a year. The last two years in the Air Force were spent on Pacific Stars & Stripes as a news editor and Bureau Chief in Southern Japan. From 1956 to 1965 he was a reporter and for two years Assistant City Editor (Night) on The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, VA. He also was City Hall Reporter for five years. From 1965 to 1975 he worked for the National League of Cities in Washington, DC, on its monthly magazine for city officials, Nation's Cities. After the first two years as Business Manager, he spent the rest of his Nation Cities time as Managing Editor. Beginning in 1976 until 1994 he was also editor-publisher of City Hall Digest, a monthly municipal government newsletter. In 1976 he joined the Public Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of the Census as a Public Information Specialist assigned primarily to work on the 1980 census promotion plans. Transferred to the 1980 Census Promotion Office in early 1979 and soon named to the post of Field Supervisor for the 40-member Public Information Coordinator and Census Information Technician network. Retiring from the government in 1993, Raymond and his wife Evelyn moved from Seabrook, MD to Franklin, NC, where he became an active volunteer in the local community. For the past ten plus years he has served as a Director on the Board of The Friends of the Macon County Public Library, as well as chair of the newsletter and publicity committee. He also served as Secretary-Treasurer of Allison Creek Estates Road Association. In addition, for the past seven years he has been publicity chair of the Macon County Senior Games, serving as editor of the annual newspaper section promoting the games and also the publicity official responsible for news releases on the games.

He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Evelyn Seebo Bancroft; three children, Karen Curry of Franklin, TN, Douglas Bancroft of Prince Frederick, MD, and Joy Brendle of Franklin, NC ; one brother, Robert Bancroft of Mt. Ranier, MD; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren, with one on the way; and four nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 5, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. The family is requesting that friends share their personal memories or anecdotes of Ray during the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewis Rathbun Wellness Center, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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