Ronny Dean Sprague was born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan a few months before the attack at Pearl Harbor. His dad was too young to fight in World War I and too old to fight in World War II. His mom was a feisty woman. He didn't have any living siblings (his older sister died of spina bifida before he was born). 

 

From all accounts he was a troublemaker of a child. The story goes that his mother had a bugle that she would sound to get him to come home from dinner. He regularly wandered away into town to follow his dad to work at the road commission.

 

He married his sweetheart and had two girls, the oldest being my mother.

 

When it comes to character, he is exactly that. You can count on a joke, a laugh, or a story at any moment. He was a road commission lifer as well as a volunteer fire fighter for over 40 years.

 

My grandpa is one of the funniest, warmest people I have ever met. He's your biggest ally and will give you the shirt off of his back at a moment's notice.

 

The more I learn about him, the more I see the traits I have inherited. The love of laughter permeates my entire family. The curly hair he used to have was given to me, although I haven't sported it since late 2007. The loyal protection of family and friends was passed on to me as well. And we're both left-handed.

 

I'm glad he is alive so that I can continue to learn and share with him. He has pushed on despite the death of his wife this fall and it is inspiring to see how he continues to bring joy and happiness into the lives of so many. He's a Toys for Tots Santa in Mt. Pleasant which, if you have every met him, makes total sense. He laughs all of the time.

 

It is an honor to have been named after him (thanks Mom and Dad!) and hope that I can live up to his continuing, living legacy today.