Roger Spratt's Obituary
December 11, 2019
by Karen Spratt
Roger Lynn Spratt, 82, passed away Monday, December 2, 2019 of kidney cancer.He passed peacefully surrounded by family at his Mesa home. A Celebration of Roger’s life will be held at 10:00 am Saturday January 4th in the Chapel at Central Christian Church, 933 N Lindsay, Mesa, AZ.All are invited to gather after the memorial for a light lunch and time to share memories of Roger’s life.If you so desire, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Family Care, 2346 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004; Central Christian Church, 933 N. Lindsay, Mesa, AZ, 85213 for the children/youth program for education or camp; or Hospice of the Valley,1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014 in Roger’s name
The Man, the Myth, the Legend.
Roger was born October 15, 1937, the fifth of nine children to Richard T. (Jack) Spratt and Esther Dicus Spratt in Osage Iowa.His family moved to Greene Iowa when he was five years old.Upon graduating from Greene High School, he earned his BS in 1961 at the Iowa State College (now University of Northern Iowa), then received his master’s degree from Iowa State University in 1970.Roger married Karen Hallberg July 25, 1959; celebrating 60 years of marriage this year.
Roger’s faith and his relationship with Jesus Christ were very important to him.One of his greatest joys was to believe he was used to lead family and friends to Christ.His prayer has been that his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren all have a personal relationship with Christ.Roger had been a Life Group Leader at Central Christian Church.Roger and Karen also attended Forest Lakes Community Church where they nourished their spiritual lives while spending time at their 5th wheel trailer.They spent 20 years camping in Forest Lakes and two years at Bear Country Ranch in Overgaard.
Roger loved children of all ages and education was not only his career, it was his passion.He taught biology, life science, and geometry in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and Algona, Iowa before educating in Ames, Iowa for 23 years; students fondly remember him for his prairie project and passion for biology. Roger followed the call of warmer weather and finished his career with the Mesa School district, retiring as the Science Resource Person for the Mesa Junior and Senior High Schools in 2001.He was a great advocate for students and teachers. During his time in Iowa, he spent time as the director of the Iowa Youth Conservation Corps, which had a positive impact on both community and parks, but especially the youth involved. Many friendships lasted well beyond their time in the program. He spent many summers taking busloads of students to different parts of the state to camp and complete conservation projects.His mantra was “It’ll be fun, you’ll see.”The day he retired, he said as he walked out the door, “I still loved what I did and thank God for enabling me to be a teacher.”
Roger had a smile, hug, or joke for everyone.He especially loved to learn about those he met and enjoyed getting to know his nurse Wendy and aide Maria from Hospice of the Valley.They made his final journey so much better.
Roger is survived by his wife Karen, their three children, Brad (Mary) Spratt of Muscatine, IA, Kevin, of Mesa, Kim (Jim) Johnson of Mesa; and five grand-children, Jeremy (Kaely) Spratt of Muscatine, Kyle Spratt, Jordan (Nathan) Johnson, Kristian Johnson, and Kyra Johnson, all of Mesa; and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Elias Spratt of Muscatine, sisters-in-law Donna Spratt, Leola (Joe) Westendorf, Myrna Spratt, Karla (Bill) Smith, Kathy (Mel) Blanton, Kristeen(Lee) Boyd, brother-in-law Duane Schlitter (Laurie), and numerous nieces / nephews whom he loved. Roger was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Kimberly Spratt; parents; and siblings Jim, Marilyn (George) Earnest, Jerry, Draper, John (Rosemary) Spratt, Judy Schlitter, Melita (Will) Selph, and Howard, and nephew Ron Earnest.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend.
Roger was born October 15, 1937, the fifth of nine children to Richard T. (Jack) Spratt and Esther Dicus Spratt in Osage Iowa.His family moved to Greene Iowa when he was five years old.Upon graduating from Greene High School, he earned his BS in 1961 at the Iowa State College (now University of Northern Iowa), then received his master’s degree from Iowa State University in 1970.Roger married Karen Hallberg July 25, 1959; celebrating 60 years of marriage this year.
Roger’s faith and his relationship with Jesus Christ were very important to him.One of his greatest joys was to believe he was used to lead family and friends to Christ.His prayer has been that his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren all have a personal relationship with Christ.Roger had been a Life Group Leader at Central Christian Church.Roger and Karen also attended Forest Lakes Community Church where they nourished their spiritual lives while spending time at their 5th wheel trailer.They spent 20 years camping in Forest Lakes and two years at Bear Country Ranch in Overgaard.
Roger loved children of all ages and education was not only his career, it was his passion.He taught biology, life science, and geometry in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and Algona, Iowa before educating in Ames, Iowa for 23 years; students fondly remember him for his prairie project and passion for biology. Roger followed the call of warmer weather and finished his career with the Mesa School district, retiring as the Science Resource Person for the Mesa Junior and Senior High Schools in 2001.He was a great advocate for students and teachers. During his time in Iowa, he spent time as the director of the Iowa Youth Conservation Corps, which had a positive impact on both community and parks, but especially the youth involved. Many friendships lasted well beyond their time in the program. He spent many summers taking busloads of students to different parts of the state to camp and complete conservation projects.His mantra was “It’ll be fun, you’ll see.”The day he retired, he said as he walked out the door, “I still loved what I did and thank God for enabling me to be a teacher.”
Roger had a smile, hug, or joke for everyone.He especially loved to learn about those he met and enjoyed getting to know his nurse Wendy and aide Maria from Hospice of the Valley.They made his final journey so much better.
Roger is survived by his wife Karen, their three children, Brad (Mary) Spratt of Muscatine, IA, Kevin, of Mesa, Kim (Jim) Johnson of Mesa; and five grand-children, Jeremy (Kaely) Spratt of Muscatine, Kyle Spratt, Jordan (Nathan) Johnson, Kristian Johnson, and Kyra Johnson, all of Mesa; and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Elias Spratt of Muscatine, sisters-in-law Donna Spratt, Leola (Joe) Westendorf, Myrna Spratt, Karla (Bill) Smith, Kathy (Mel) Blanton, Kristeen(Lee) Boyd, brother-in-law Duane Schlitter (Laurie), and numerous nieces / nephews whom he loved. Roger was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Kimberly Spratt; parents; and siblings Jim, Marilyn (George) Earnest, Jerry, Draper, John (Rosemary) Spratt, Judy Schlitter, Melita (Will) Selph, and Howard, and nephew Ron Earnest.