Neil A Sprague

Born on December 31, 1929

Left this life for another on October 1, 2012

Born the second of four children, given by our Lord to raise and nurture to Morie and Russell Sprague, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Neil was preceded in death by his older brother Russell. He is survived by twin sisters Janet Norman and Jean Retel, along with their husbands, Phil and Jack, as well as his Sister-in-Law, Juanita Sprague. From his siblings, Neil was blessed with many nieces and nephews.

Neil was also preceded in death by his first wife Beverly who gave birth to four children: Debra, Robert, Gayle, and Richard. Neil tragically lost his youngest son Richard earlier this year. He has one son-in-law, Rick Takashima, an ex-daughter-in-law, Susan Sprague, a future daughter-in-law, Kay Burbidge, and David Nielsen, life partner of Richard.

Neil is survived by his second wife, Dorothy Sprague, and her three sons Steve, Mike, and Jim Andrews. He was preceded in death by her son, Tom Andrews.

Neil is survived by 13 grandchildren, seven of them from his marriage to Beverly, and six from his marriage to Dorothy, whom he looked upon as his own, five great grandchildren, and numerous cousins and their offspring.

Neil was raised in Minnesota, Montana, and Washington. After high school he hired on with the Great Northern Railroad in Seattle in 1947. He continued to work until his early retirement on Dec. 31, 1984. He served a two year hitch in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War, all stateside, in Georgia and California, from1951 to 1953. As one of his dear friends recalled: “California was well protected those two years by Neil and another friend of his, who also remained stateside in California during his tour of duty.” Bernie McKee was right, as no one invaded it while they were there. After his discharge from the service, Neil returned to the Great Northern Railway to complete his electrical apprenticeship at Interbay Roundhouse in

Seattle. During this time he met, fell in love, and married his first wife and loyal friend, Beverly Mae Castle. They were wed on March 18, 1955 at Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church. They had planned to wed on March 17, but as most of Beverly’s family was Butte Montana Irish, who raised a fuss about ruining St. Patrick’s Day; they changed the date. They often wondered if her family would have attended if they hadn't changed it.

During the first two years of their marriage they were blessed with two children, Debra and Robert. Neil continued to work for the Great Northern Railway and finished his electrical apprenticeship in 1955, then worked nights as a diesel electrician. He also filled in as a relief foreman when needed.

In December 1959 he transferred to the diesel shop in Havre, Montana where he worked as a night shift electrical foreman, until 1967 when he returned to Interbay Roundhouse in Seattle as a day shift foreman. During their years in Havre, two more children were born, Gayle and Richard. They made many very good friends while in Havre, some who worked on the railroad and some who did not. Some remain in touch and are steadfast friends to this day.

In the years between 1967 and his early retirement in December 1984, he worked as General Roundhouse Foreman and Pacific Division General Foreman Of Locomotives. He finished his career as General Foreman of Cars at the King St. Coach Yards in Seattle, where he oversaw the operation and care of Amtrak Trains arriving and departing Seattle.

Neil and Beverly bought a trailer in the mid-seventies and loved to camp. They spent many summers traveling with their 4 children. Many memorable trips were made to Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and to the ocean beaches. Each year included the Sprague family reunion. Neil also spent much of his time golfing and coaching the Kirkland Little League team, The Seals.

After retiring after 38 years of service on the Great Northern Railway and Burlington Northern, he and Beverly traveled and enjoyed their time together playing golf and became quite active in Wellington Golf & Country Club in Woodinville WA. This remained the focal point of their social life until Beverly was taken by cancer in 1995. They made many friends at the club and enjoyed lots of golf outings in and around the state, as well as a couple of trips to Palm Springs during the Bob Hope Desert Classic.

Five months after Beverly’s passing in 1996, Neil had open-heart surgery requiring a quadruple bypass. He spent the next year recovering from his surgery. In April 1997 became reacquainted with Dorothy Andrews. Neil worked with her late husband, Tom Andrews, at Interbay Roundhouse in the late 1950's. The two young families spent many evenings playing pinochle.

Neil and Dorothy married in September 6, 1997. Neil and Dorothy spent their honeymoon cruising to Alaska, and later cruised to Alaska again to celebrate an anniversary with Gary and Jeanie Rogers. They shared the early years of their marriage traveling to the cabin in Twisp, Washington. Time spent at the cabin was a very special time for them. They also traveled by train to Tucson and San Francisco visiting Rick and David. Neil and Dorothy traveled again by train to Florida to celebrate Steve and Betty's wedding, cruising in the Caribbean. They enjoyed their time with their merged families.

Neil’s health began to deteriorate due to respiratory disease. Neil passed away at his home with Dorothy by his side.

Donations to Evergreen Healthcare Foundation, Hospice Services, 12040 NE 128th St, MS 5, Kirkland, WA, 98034-3013 are welcome.