JAMES SPRAGUE JR.
1931 - 2017
Obituary
James I Sprague Jr., 86, of Newton,
died Saturday (September 2, 2017) at the Asbury Park Greenhouse in
Newton.
He was born on February 17, 1931, in
Greenville, Michigan, the son of James Ivan and Alma K. Hansen Sr.
After graduating from Greenville High School, James attended Michigan
State University. During the Korean Conflict he served in the U.S.
Army, being discharged as a First Lieutenant. He returned to Michigan
State where he would receive his Bachelors and Masters Degrees
followed by his PHD in 1961 as an animal nutritionist.
James began his career as a livestock
nutrition specialist and assistant professor at Colorado State
University from 1961 to 1963. He then worked for several large feed
companies in Colorado, including Wilgro Feeds and Ranch Way Feeds
from 1963 to 1980. He moved to Garden City in 1980 where he continued
his career with Farr Better Feeds. Though the years he also wrote
several articles for "Feedlot Magazine." After retiring he
operated Sprague Animal Consulting.
James married A. Jeanne Reed in 1953 in
Horton, Michigan. They had two sons, Tony and Kim. He later married
Josephine Niernberger in 1981, she died in 1997. On December 10,
2000, he married Nancy Spangler Thompson, after which he moved to
Newton.
He was a member of the First Church of
the Nazarene in Newton and the American Legion in Whitewater. Jim was
a man who never met a stranger. He loved family and spending time
attending their many activities and celebrations.
Survivors include his wife Nancy of the
home in Newton; his two sons Anthony J. Sprague of Globe, Arizona and
James S. "Kim" Sprague and wife Peggy of Horton, Michigan;
two grandchildren Julie Glover and husband Cory, and Michael K.
Sprague and wife Leta along with their children Dane, Cassia and
Harrison.
James considered as part of his
extended family Nancy's children; Trenna (Dave) Schulze of Overland
Park and Galen (Helen) Thompson of Newton. As well as the
grandchildren, Brianna (Trent) Grissom with their children Ashtyn and
Daxton, Belinda (Joe) McCulley with their children Wyatt, Isaac,
Micah, and Ava, Jennifer Pearon and son Kadin, Stoney Thompson,
Shandila Thompson and Daniel (Katie) Thompson.
He is preceded in death by his parents;
two sisters Gladys Olsen and Charlotte Brown; and Nancy's grandson
Sean Thompson.
The casket will be open at the funeral
home between 10:30 a.mm. and 1:30 pm. on Friday (September 8, 2017)
followed by a private family interment.
A service celebrating Jim's life will
be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday (September 8, 2017) at the First Church
of the Nazarene.
A memorial has been established with
the First Church of the Nazarene. Contributions may be sent to
Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS. 67114.
Condolences may be left at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
1931 - 2017 (86 years)