There just aren't enough words to express how much Dave meant to me.  I was fortunate enough to be placed in his Theatre Arts class at Hart High, and "acting" was the last thing I wanted to be doing.  I was this shy awkward freshman.  I learned about being able to work backstage and fell in love.  Dave was a friend, mentor, and so much more.  I consider myself lucky to have been able to share in his passion and learn from it and develop my own passion for the theatre.  I went on to become a professional stage manager and continued to talk to Dave and update him on what I was doing in my field all through college and in my working years.  When I moved back to California after my stint in the Midwest, he became part of my chosen family and we would go camping, go for visits to see him in SLO and we spent virtually every holiday season with a laughter filled day just enjoying our groups company.  I will miss Dave's quirky sense of humour, all our inside jokes, and his love of life and passion.  I still can't believe he is gone, and I am fortunate that I got to see him right before the pandemic and introduce him to my 6 month old son.  Love you Dave   
We will be hosting a little celebration of life if anyone is available. ﻿https://www.evite.com/event/028BSM6MJN52UEMTOEPMCHNWQGLA6M/guests?previous=view

I was once a student of Mr. Sprague's. I remember him telling us about why he became a teacher. He told us about the attempted robbery, and how he was shot, and he told us the only thing he could think about was how he was "going to die right then and there and he hadn't made an impact on anybody's life." Mr. Sprague didn't exactly teach my favorite subject, but they way he taught it, the way he related to us was phenomenal and unlike any other. He has absolutely impacted my life for the better. For that, Mr. Sprague has done what he said he wanted to do. He will not be forgotten.

I am a close neighbor and fellow morning walker along the shoreline, and it is almost impossible to overstate the kindness in David. We talked many times of his love for teaching, and his love for directing student plays in school auditoriums both simple and elaborate at William S. Hart and SLO and some others. When he learned I’d lit and student stage-managed plays in my high school days, we had an instant bond that was fun. David prepared us for the loss of a cherished pet  and enjoyed her before her loss, and gave limitless compassion even as he experienced losses of his own. Truly this was a man of warm personal love and kindness for his community.

David always had time to chat and welcomed others to drop in to his walks and shoreline romps with Buster, his gorgeous Red Fox Labrador puppy. He ran and exercised Buster with care and treats and special balls that were chosen to protect Buster from long term abrasion or injury; typical of David’s care and awareness of things surrounding himself and others in his life.

In an area where many hole up in lovely ocean-view houses and go about their lives, David was a vibrant active and available friend and community member.  He knew everyone’s name AND their pet names after hearing them once. It’s easy to say nice things at a time like this, but truly this gentle, wise and thoughtful man was a LIGHT in his community to everyone he passed. One can picture him  on a sunlit, celestial shore, back with Rylie and Lucy and of course, his beloved Shasta, surrounded by people that enjoyed him. We’ve lost a grand, gentle, interesting and deeply kind soul to a hereafter. Thank You for your amazing kindness, David. A gemstone among friends and educators.

Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss.
I was one of David’s newer friends having moved into his Los Osos neighborhood in 2016.  Our initial connection was through our dogs.  They sought each other out in the mornings especially when David retired and no longer needed to rush off to teach.   As our dogs became friends, so did their humans.   We met near the bay between 6:30-7am every morning by an area called the log – rain or shine.  My pal Dixie knew Lucy and Rylie.  After our morning walks my pup would pull me over to Rylie’s house where David gave them handfuls of whipped cream or puppuccinos.  We shared a love for gardening, nature, rocks, hiking, travel, road trips and adventures.  David kept my gardens alive during my trips overseas and I returned the favor by taking care of his when he went up to Oregon and Washington.  We comforted each other when our beloved pets departed.  Retirement suited him.

Like so many friends on the coast, we both loved wine and recently joined the Whalebone Winery together.  A few times a month we shared wine on my patio telling stories, sharing gardening tips, and teaching Buster new tricks.  What a special bond those too had.

What I learned most from David was to always say yes.  Want to come for wine?  His answer was always yes.  Have time to chat?   Yes.  I knew when his friends wanted to come into town, he never turned them down as chores or home projects were secondary to spending time with people.  His was one of the few men I knew who could spend hours on the phone staying in touch with those he loved.

I cherished our deepening friendship.  He always had a kind word to say about someone.  This picture is off a video I took when he brought little Buster home.

I expected to have many more bites of sushi, stories, and wine tastings to share.  David is very missed.  


AVIS DE DÉCÈS

David Alan Sprague

26 novembre 1957 – 12 juin 2021

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park

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