John Camp Sprenger

John Camp Sprenger, age 80, of La Grande, died Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at his home. A memorial service will be held
on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center on Gekeler Lane in La Grande. In lieu of flowers
contributions may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Missionary Fund in care of Daniels-Knopp
Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.


John was born on February 20, 1935, the son of Howard and Elizabeth (Camp) Sprenger in Toppenish, Washington. He
was raised and educated in Zillah, Washington. As a senior in high school he served as Student Body President and active
in many organizations and excelled in sports, earning All-League honors in football. He graduated in May of 1953. Following high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. After boot camp he married Betty LaDeen Thomas, his high school sweetheart, on October 5 1953 in Toppenish, Washington creating a loving family of four children, 16 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.


After being discharged from the Marines, he went to college at Eastern Washington University earning his Bachelors
Degree in Accounting. He worked as an accountant in Spokane, Washington for five years earning his teaching credentials
at the same time. He then taught high school business classes in Twisp, Washington for three years and then went to Aumsville,
Oregon where he taught high school business and also earned his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Western
Oregon University. Then back to Washington at Pateros for a year and then to Elgin. He taught there for three years and then
taught Accounting and Business Law in La Grande. He was also FBLA Advisor and took many students to State in Portland. He
taught 33 years total with 25 years in La Grande and retired in 1998.


He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and in 2001 and 2002 John and wife, Betty, served a
mission for the church in India. In 2014, La Grande High School awarded John the honor of being on the Wall of Fame for his
lifetime of service to the High School and the community.


John loved the outdoors. He was an avid skier, hiker, camper, and traveler. He also enjoyed building things. He built and
remodeled houses, built furniture, cargo trailers and fireplace inserts.


Survivors include his wife, Betty, of La Grande; children, Kenneth, and his wife Rhonda of Healdsburg, California, Michael, and his wife Angie of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Kari Sprenger of La Grande and Timothy, and his wife Jennifer of Adams, Oregon; 16 grand-children; 2 great grandchildren; siblings, Fred Sprenger of Alaska and Arizona, Mary Linker of Wapato, Washington, and Ann
Hankins of Winlock, Washington and other relatives.

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