1931
James
2017
James I. Sprague, Jr.
February 17, 1931 — September 2, 2017
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 1961-1963. He then worked for several large feed companies in Colorado, including Wilgro Feeds and Ranch-Way Feeds from 1963-1980. He moved to Garden City, Ks 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, Kansas. 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, AZ. and James S. “Kim” Sprague and wife Peggy of Horton, MI.; 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, KS. 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.M. and 1:30 P.M. on Friday 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.
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 1961-1963. He then worked for several large feed companies in Colorado, including Wilgro Feeds and Ranch-Way Feeds from 1963-1980. He moved to Garden City, Ks 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, Kansas. 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, AZ. and James S. “Kim” Sprague and wife Peggy of Horton, MI.; 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, KS. 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.M. and 1:30 P.M. on Friday 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.
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