Dusty Sprague 1967-2022
Dusty “Doc” R. Sprague, 55, of Holton, died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at Belton Regional Medical Center in Belton, Mo.
He was born Feb. 15, 1967, in Port Lavaca, Texas, the son of Donald R. and Barbara (Yost) Sprague. Dusty graduated from Kearney High School in 1985. He earned his diesel mechanic certification from Wyo-Tech in Laramie, Wyo., and worked for years in this field.
Dusty married Tracy L. (Sell) Keeling on April 5, 2008, at Hastings, Neb. They lived there until Dusty received his call to ministry in 2010.
Dusty completed his Licensed Local Pastor certification through St. Paul’s School of Theology in Leawood and was assigned as Associate Pastor at Columbus First United Methodist Church at Columbus, Neb. His next charge included three churches in northwest Nebraska, the Crawford, Harrison and Whitney Parish.
Dusty retired from the ministry in 2016 and moved to Kansas for the opportunity to serve as an advanced EMT with Jackson County EMS Techs. Most recently Dusty served as Holton High School (HHS) COVID-19 Lab Tech. Dusty was passionate about caring for others and being in service to others.
Throughout his life he was involved in drag racing and was very proud to work for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). He loved drag racing and the race teams at all levels.
The Santa House was his idea brought to life with the help of the area Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife as Mr. Claus entertained crowds of children at the Santa House on Holton’s Town Square to help promote local stores open late on Thursday nights during the holidays.
Survivors include his wife, Tracy, of the home; mother, Barbara Gibbs of Kearney, Neb.; mother-in-law Donna Sell, Cummings; daughter, Brittany Sprague, Franklin, Neb.; son, Zach Sprague (April) and children, Holdrege, Neb.; stepson, Jason Berry of Oberlin; sister, Dawn R. Sprague; brother, Darrin Sprague (Lisa); nephews, Jacob (Maria) O’Meara and Jaxson, all of Kearney, Neb., Dillon Sprague (April), Franklin, Neb., and Colby Sprague, Minden, Neb.; niece, Briana Perez (Marc), Kearney, Neb.; sister, Deena Morin (Kris) and James, Prattville, Ala.; Jonathan Morin (Lexi) and children, Phoenix, Ariz.; sister-in-law Tammy Wilson (Mike), Nortonville; brothers-in-law Don Sell, Kearney, Mo., Jeff Sell (Denise), Topeka, and Chris Hockenbarger (Joan), McLouth; and his beloved fur babies, Harley and Lucy, of the home.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 at SOLID Christian Church in Holton. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Jackson County EMS Techs Advanced EMT Scholarship or Holton High School, Active Shooter Response, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
