It was Ray that inspired me to go completely spray-less and to leave the exhibitor world. I did not know he was ill, when we spoke a lot. I had no idea, and then he was gone. Prior, the same for Jerry Justice and his wife. And, at the time, I was 19 or so. I was doing landscape jobs back then, when 2 clients passed from cancer. It upset me greatly, and actually made me depressed for awhile. My young mind was not prepared for that side of morality and loss. What good was what we were doing, giving the world our color and design, when it comes with carcinogens and mutagens as part of their "care"? Well, the solution was obvious.

I know that Ray Spooner hybridized a yb min named Hillary which was in the buyer's guide in between the last two published editions of Modern Roses. I think it was in the 1995 or 1997 guide but never made it into the latest M R from ARS. I still have one and it is a very attractive mini/probably should now be a mini flora but since the registration was lost, it is har to exhibit it.