Vance Sprague, Jr.

Captain Vance G Sprague Jr., USNR, left this life on August 14, 2021, in Gulfport, MS surrounded by love.

Vance was born and raised in State College, PA, graduating from Penn State University in 1963. He earned his master’s degree at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. in 1983 while attending the Naval War College, where he also graduated in 1983. He felt very fortunate to be the initial selectee by the Naval Oceanographic Office (Navoceano) to attend the Naval War College as a full-time student. While living there for a year he also got his first dog, McKeegue’s Beaufort of Troon (Beaufie), which led to a lifetime of wonderful pets, including dogs and cats and horses.

His family home in State College, is very near the Penn State Campus, where his father was a Professor of Agronomy. His work instilled in Vance his lifelong love of plants and gardening. He also taught Vance to make peanut brittle, from scratch, which became a Christmas tradition. When his father passed away Vance took over the tradition and made brittle every year for family and friends. He enjoyed a wonderful, close-knit family life with his parents and siblings and the idyllic childhood that could be found in small town America. In high school, he served as Class President, sang with the Polka Dots and ran on the track team. After graduating from high school in 1959 he attended Penn State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in science and was a member of Delta Chi fraternity as well as the Glee Club.

While at Penn State he joined the Navy ROTC and, upon graduation with a bachelor’s degree in science, joined the Navy as a commissioned Ensign in 1963. He served on the USS Requisite and the USS Towhee, two ships that were performing oceanographic and bathymetric survey operations, until he finished his Active-Duty service in 1965.

He then joined the Naval Reserve, serving in several units through the years and retiring in 1993 with the rank of Captain USNR. During his time in the Naval Reserve, he served in several capacities including aiding in the establishment of the first Reserve program for the (newly formed) CNMOC community. He served as Executive Officer of Naval Oceanography Reserve Activity from 1983-1987, Commanding Officer, NORA from 1987-1989 and Inspector General at NAS New Orleans from 1989-1993.

He loved the water and being at sea so much that he went to work for Navoceano full time in 1965, as a civilian, when he completed his active duty in the Navy. He lived in and around Washington D.C. until the office was moved to what is now John C Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi. After the move south, he enjoyed living in Long Beach and Pass Christian for many years. He spent much time at sea during the 38 years he worked for NAVO and enjoyed it immensely. Starting In 1977 he became Head of the Physical Oceanography Branch and then Director over several areas including Ocean Products, Physical Oceanography Division, Geospatial Databases Department.

In December of 2000, he retired from federal service and he and Heather began enjoying the retired life. They travelled by planes, trains, automobiles, and cruise ships to many locales as well as cherished vacations to see family in Baltimore, Maryland and visit his family home in State College.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 32 years, Heather, and his loyal dog Taco; his sister Margaret Richardson (John) of Baltimore, Maryland, Sister In Law Flinda Hill (Marcus) of Ocean Springs, MS; Nephews Chris Richardson (Lorena) and Jonathon Hill, Nieces Katherine Vance Richardson (Andrew), Carolyn Richardson (Julian), Briana Sprague (Chris); great nieces Josephine Vance Kennedy, Charlotte Vance White, Jasmine Hill; great nephews Liam Vance Richardson Carreno, Ian Vance Hassinger, and Jonathon Hill Jr.; the many close friends Vance was honored to know throughout his life, you know who you are.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vance G Sprague and Elaine T Sprague, his previous wife Claire L Sprague, and his brother Robert A Sprague.

Vance was a faithful member of Pineville Presbyterian Church in Pass Christian, MS for 31 years. He served the church on the Session for 18 years and as Clerk of Session for 8 of those years. He was a man of faith and would help anyone, anytime, anywhere. He truly set an example of Christian Love. After Hurricane Katrina, as Clerk, he spearheaded coordinating volunteer efforts at the church from people of faith throughout the country to help the church members and the community. Volunteers from all over the country were camped outside on the church grounds as well as sleeping in the pews! He was honored to help with this effort because he knew that to help people in their hour of need was the best way for him to reflect the love of God.

Another great love of Vance’s was music in all its forms. This love for music was instilled in him from childhood with his mother who showed her love of music to her children. Vance went on to sing with his high school and college Glee Clubs. While living in Washington DC, he performed with the Choral Arts Society under Norman Scribner. After moving to Pass Christian he sang for many years with the Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus and the Gulf Coast Opera. He loved all kinds of music and had a beautiful voice.

Vance’s family would like to thank the very special staff of the Greenhouse at Seashore Highlands in Gulfport. They provided the love and care that only a family can provide and allowed Heather to return to being just wife and enjoying every minute with her love. Even though Alzheimer’s had taken so much from Vance, he retained his ability to show affection and humor.  Southern Care Hospice also provided wonderful care to Vance during his final months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pineville Presbyterian Church, 4476 Menge Ave., Pass Christian, MS 39571, Mississippi Methodist Senior Services Sunday Fund, PO Box 1567, Tupelo, MS 38802-9915, or the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org.

Due to the COVID resurgence, there will not be a public service at this time but a Celebration of Life at a later date.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport served the family.

www.RiemannFamily.com