Sprague, Duncan H.

Duncan Sprague died peacefully on the morning of September 23, 2015, at the age of 87. Duncan lost his bout with Alzheimer's which took his mobility, strength, humor and finally his mind but not his love of his wife of 62 years, Ann.

Duncan was born the fourth of five children on January 5, 1928, in San Bernardino, CA. He lived and was raised by his maternal grandmother up until high school. He served in the Navy during World War 2 and later in Navel Intelligence. After the Navy, he attended University of Redlands where he graduated with a Masters. He also met his future wife, Ann Worley, whom he married on August 15, 1953. After their honeymoon at Tamarack, they moved to Monterey, CA where he was employed by Monterey Peninsula College as Director of Student Activities. He also taught public speaking and presentation at the Naval Post Graduate School. During the summers, Duncan would go to school at UOP obtaining a Doctorate in Education. Duncan moved with his family to Lodi in 1966 taking a job as Executive Director of the California Teachers Association (CTA). He worked for CTA not only as an Executive Director but as an advocate for special education. He worked with Congress to help write the national legislation for the education of special needs children. In California he spoke as CTA's expert on special education at the State Legislature. After CTA, Duncan started Sprague Associates writing a newsletter and resource book on special education. His business thrived for many years until the Internet took off and this information could be obtained more easily. He retired from Sprague Associated and became a commercial real estate agent first with Moss and Craig, and then Prudential Aladdin Real Estate. Duncan retired permanently when his wife retired from the San Joaquin County Office of Education. They enjoyed traveling including cruises in Europe through the Panama Canal, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They also explored Alaska on a paddle wheeler, Hawaii and many other areas in the United States. They enjoyed going out to lunch every day at several of the local restaurants where Duncan would tell the latest stories and jokes he heard. Duncan is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Liz Franco; son, John Sprague from Washington DC, granddaughter, Landriel Trotter; great grandsons, Jordan Trotter, 16, and Calvin Trotter, 13; and many wonderful friends.

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