David Henry Sprowle, of Pagosa Springs, died peacefully at home on May 31, 2022. He was 89 years old. David was born on July 21, 1932, to George and Martha Sprowle, of Port William, Ohio. David lived in Port William until he joined the Army and went off to serve in the Korean War. When the war was over, he returned home and married his pen pal, Mary Lou Thompson, on April 8, 1955. They were married for 67 years.
They had four children: Steve (Rhonda) Sprowle, of Wilmington, Ohio; Lisa West, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Scott (Kathy) Sprowle, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Molly Sprowle, of Pagosa Springs. They had three granddaughters, a grandson, several great grandchildren, and adopted children and grandchildren that lived next door.
He served his community as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, auxiliary policeman and a member of the Port William Lions Club. In 1992, he retired from General Motors and they moved to Pagosa Springs. Once in Pagosa Springs, he became a member of the local American Legion, Pagosa Springs Lions Club, Durango Lions Club and was a lifetime member of Veterans for Veterans of Archuleta County.
He was a fixture at the Corner Store for many years until it closed. Folks would often stop to drink coffee, chat and catch up on the local happenings. When Wal-Mart opened, he was one of the first people hired. He worked as a greeter and, in the summertime, he kept all the flowers watered and pretty. He took great pride in his work. He worked there for seven years until his death.
David was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Thompson Sprowle, on May 9, 2022.
There will be a service at a later date when the family is able to get together.
Donations in David’s memory could be made to the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset, Iowa, or the Veterans for Veterans in Pagosa Springs.
