Jimmie Spradling

Jimmie Ray Spradling, 84, passed away from brain cancer on Monday, February 2, 2015, at Riverhill Health and Rehabilitation Center in Kerrville, Texas. He was born on May 7, 1930, in Warren, Arkansas, to Sydney E. and Hazel A. Trucks Spradling. He moved to La Porte, Texas in 1944 and resided there until 1992 when he moved to Kerrville.\r\n \r\nHe is survived by his wife, Ruth, daughter and son-in law, Cynthia and Joe Smitherman, of Kerrville, and granddaughter, Matney Rae Smitherman of Longview, Texas; brothers: James Spradling of La Porte, Texas; Hal Spradling of Ontario, Canada; sisters: Peggie Darby of Greenville, Texas, and Linda McAnaney of Denison, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents.\r\n \r\nJimmie served in the Army during the Korean Conflict as a member of the Paratroopers, 82nd Airborne Division, from 1950 to 1952. After returning from the military he attended Lee Junior College in Baytown, Texas. On November 25, 1953, he married Ruth Shireman Spradling in La Porte, Texas, and they were married 61 years.\r\n \r\nHe was a 37 year employee of Shell Chemical Company in Deer Park, Texas, retiring in 1990. Upon retirement, he and Ruth started traveling, something they had done little of before. They traveled to the Orient, Africa, Israel, Europe (where they enjoyed the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion), Egypt, Australia and New Zealand, Iceland and many places within the U.S. This time was truly the highlight of his life!\r\n \r\nIn addition to his job at Shell, for 18 years he served as Manager of the Fairmont Park Homeowners Association in La Porte. He enjoyed using his outdoor and managerial skills to keep the subdivision a lovely place.\r\n \r\nJimmie and his wife attended most Kerrville City Council meetings until his recent illness and often became involved in certain issues. His main interest was to make Kerrville a clean and inviting city, and spent many hours cleaning streets and sidewalks. He was instrumental in encouraging the Kerrville City Council to organize the Kerrville Beautification Advisory Committee and served as a member.\r\n \r\nThe family would like to give thanks to the nurses, aides and staff at Riverhill Health and Rehabilitation Center for their patience and kind care; and to Dr. James Young, his longtime and much-respected doctor.\r\n \r\nA memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor John Wheat and Chaplain Chris Christopherson officiating.\r\n \r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Houston Christian Broadcasters, Inc., KHCB Radio Network, 2424 South Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77098-5196, or the charity of your choice.\r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]