Lawrence Eugene Sprague

We lost our dad on Valentine’s Day. Our mom lost her husband.

He was Husband of the Year and Father of the Year, every year, since 1968… 58 years running. Won every year. He loved those roles more than any others in his life. He modeled Kindness. Thoughtfulness. Loyalty. “Think of others before yourself,” “Leave it better than you found it.” And, ”Keep Smilin’” — always keep smilin’.

He was protective of his kids. He kept us safe and taught us life lessons so that his protection surrounded us when he wasn’t with us. Change a tire? He taught us that. “Don’t trust another driver just because you have a green light.” “Always wait for someone to get in the house when you drop them off.” “Say please and thank you.”

Did he hold doors for you? Always. Did he close the car door for you once you were in?He did that too. Did he come to the rescue? Every time.

Our aunt told us, as a young father, he doted on us and loved us so much. Years ago, a cousin told us that we just had no idea how lucky we were to have our dad. We knew.

He was stoic. Observant. Positive. Optimistic. A master at a dad joke… and another… and one more to boot.

What he did for a living was never anything he would carry on about. Who made his life a life worth living, was. We took family trips revolving around adventures- Grand Canyon, Chicago, Colorado, family reunions. Camping here, hotels there. Gas station rest breaks at midnight to keep good time? We did that too.

He loved our mom. He said she’s what makes our family a family. Without her, we wouldn’t be. Without her, he wouldn’t be.

His parents, Anne and Paul, were there to welcome him home. He met our mom’s mom, Jean, for the first time, too. Her husband Bill, surely, was standing proudly by her side.

He was the oldest of nine children. His siblings and their spouses will miss him. His six kids will carry on his lessons, whether with their spouses, their children, their friends, their students, or co-workers…anyone who knows a Sprague, they know Larry. If you love one of us, or like one of us, you loved and liked Larry.

We are heartbroken and we are grateful, and we’ll miss him until we don’t, when he greets us again with a strong hug and a few little back pats. He did that until his last days. That is something Alzheimer’s never stole from him.

-Keep smilin’!

***

Lawrence Eugene Sprague was born March 16, 1945 in Mansfield, Ohio. He was raised in Peoria, Illinois. He was 80 years young.

He earned a degree in biology from Lewis College in Lockport, IL. During his time at Lewis, he met our mom while driving a transit bus in Chicago, IL. He later proudly served in the United States Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, an experience that helped shape his discipline, strong sense of service, and his career in the field of radiology.

He dedicated his professional life to a career in medical sales, where he was known for his integrity, work ethic, and the meaningful relationships he built along the way. Multiple transfers throughout his career eventually brought him to Augusta, Georgia in 1979 where our parents chose to put down roots and raise their family.

Above all, Larry was a devoted husband and father who was deeply involved in the life of his family. Whether through scouting, Indian Princesses, sports, or home improvement projects, he was always present with his family… supporting, coaching, building, fixing, and cheering us on. His steady guidance, quiet strength, and unwavering love created a foundation that will continue to carry his family forward. His greatest pride and accomplishment was the family he loved so deeply.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Candi; his six children, Jennifer (Tom) Crow of Evans, GA; Angie of Tucker, GA; Stacey of Atlanta, GA; Gina of Denver, CO; Ryan (Jeni) of Tallahassee, FL, and Daniel (Lisa) Sprague of Marietta, GA.

Also his grandchildren, Carly Crow of Denver, CO; Alex (Cassie) Crow of Martinez, GA; Emily (Diego) Carabajal of Jacksonville, NC; Bennett Crow of Evans, GA; and Caedmon, Jackson, Andrew, Toby, Lucy, and Anna Sprague of Tallahassee, FL.

He was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Claire and Adam Crow of Martinez, GA.

Also survived by his siblings, Mary Lou Lively, Vickie (Jim) Buckley, Paul (Nancy), Althea (Randy) McMonagle, Chris (Doreen), Loretta (Bob) Moore, David (Wilma), and Steve (Debbie); Also, his 78th best friend, Sam Lilly, and his wife Suzanne.

His most loved four-legged pup, Franklin, misses him so much.

His legacy lives on through the generations of family who carry forward his love, his lessons, and the many memories they shared. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church on Monte Sano Ave. in Augusta GA. An inurnment will immediately follow at the church. The family invites you to join us afterwards for a Celebration of Life lunch at the Columbia County American Legion Post 192 on 275 Legion Dr. in Evans, GA. If you can't make it for lunch, we’ll probably still be there celebrating through dinner!

Choosing life has been been important to our parents. Our house was a second home to many. Our friends could tell stories of the warmth and hospitality our parents extended to them. They also welcomed young, pregnant mothers into our home so that their children would arrive safely into this world. In lieu of flowers, we have chosen to support the Phi Center in Tallahassee, Florida, where their son Ryan worked and still supports today. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/larrysprague/

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com