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Denton E. (Jack) Sprague died Wednesday, May 25, 2011. He was 94 years of age. Jack was born to Irvin and Ora Lee Sprague on July 4, 1916 in Lamesa, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Chester. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Merlyn, of Albuquerque; son, Denton E. Jr. and wife, Vivian, of Pendleton, Oregon; daughter, Donna S. Collins and husband, Bob, of The Villages, Florida; a brother, Ted and wife, Billie Ann of Tulia Texas; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He attended elementary and high school in Tulia, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M College in 1937 with a degree in Agriculture and a 2nd Lt. Commission in the United States Army Reserve. He was ordered to active duty in 1942 and was assigned to the 85th Infantry Division. When it was learned that he was a licensed amateur radio operator, he was transferred to the Signal Section-Third U.S. Army Headquarters. He later became the head radio officer for General George Patton's Third United States Army in Europe. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of Colonel. In 1939, Jack was employed as the Assistant County Supervisor of the Farmer's Home Administration, USDA, at Clovis, New Mexico advancing to the state office in Albuquerque and the national office in Washington, D.C. He retired from that agency as Associate Administrator in 1979. He served a time as Acting Administrator of that agency during changes of administrations. Jack was awarded superior service decorations by each of two Secretaries of Agriculture. He was the Master of Zia Daylight Masonic Lodge in Albuquerque. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. He was a member of various Albuquerque Amateur Radio clubs. A memorial service will be held for Jack on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the La Vida Llena retirement center. Enichement will take place in Santa Fe National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, help a crippled child to walk by sending a contribution to Ballut Abyad Shrine Center at 6600 Zuni SE, Albuquerque, 87108. Please visit our online guestbook for Jack at www.RememberTheirStory.com Lovingly Pre-planned at FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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