James E Sproull

SPROULL, James “Jim” Lt. Commander, went to be with the Lord January 24, 2015 in Atlanta, GA, following a brief illness. Jim was born October 24, 1924 in Norfolk, VA to James Sproull and Affie Tarkenton Sproull. Following the death of his mother when he was 9 years old, his half brother Orville and his wife Grace Sproull brought him to live with them. After graduating from high school Jim entered the U.S Navy serving on the destroyer escort, USS Charles Lawrence where he completed multiple convoy protection crossings of the Atlantic. After conversion to a fast attack transport Jim and the “Charlie” moved to the Pacific, with the invasion of Okinawa on Easter morning April 1, 1945 his last major action of World War II. Following his discharge from the Navy he moved with his family to Tampa, FL in 1946, where he would attend and graduate from the University of Tampa in 1950 majoring in Business Administration. In 1948 Jim married the love of his life Ann, they would be married almost 66 years but for her death in July 2014. Jim joined Tampa Electric as an accountant, but having remained in the Navy Reserves he was called back to active duty in the Korean War in 1950. He returned to Tampa Electric following his discharge and spent 42 years in various positions, retiring in 1992 as Corporate Secretary of TECO Energy. Jim remained in the Naval Reserve and retired in 1984 as a Lieutenant Commander. In 2009 Jim and Ann moved to Atlanta to be close to their son and daughter-in-law as well as their "grand" dog, Lili. While in college their son Jim gave his parents the nicknames, "Fred" and "Ethel" which they adopted and would be forever known as. Jim was a faithful member of Idlewild Baptist Church, even while living in Atlanta he rarely missed watching the Sunday service on his iPad. Jim was a loving and generous husband, father and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and his memory and example will live on in the lives of those he touched. Surviving Jim are his son and daughter-in-law Jim and Linda Sproull of Atlanta; brother in law Ted Melching and his wife Glenda of Tampa; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Jim will be missed, but as a believer in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he knew that because Jesus lives we do not say good-bye, but see you later Fred! A celebration of Jim's life will be held Thursday, January 29 at 11:30 am at Idlewild Baptist Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Baptist Blvd, Lutz. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Jim Sproull to College Ministry of Idlewild Baptist Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Baptist Blvd, Lutz, FL 33548-4536. Arrangements entrusted to Blount & Curry Funeral Home- Carrollwood Chapel 813-968-2231