Donald Lee Sprague
Donald Lee Sprague, affectionately known as “The Cowboy” to his family and friends from Philadelphia and “The Philadelphia Lawyer” here in Coalgate, died on January 3, 2024, at age 91. Services will be held at Brown’s Funeral Home on Thursday, January 11, at 6pm and at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Coalgate on Friday, January 12, at 11am, with graveside services following.
Don was born in Parker, north of Coalgate, on August 12, 1932, to Mae (Wheeler) and James Corbett Sprague as the youngest sibling to Bill, Jim and Kathleen (Fleck). He always enjoyed the country and looked forward to the time every spring when his feet adjusted to going barefoot for the warmer weather.
At Coalgate High School, he graduated in 1950 as FFA president. He never did purchase a coveted FFA jacket at the time because he was saving for land, cattle and college and could not afford it. In 2021, an anonymous donor in Coalgate gifted Don a jacket through the FFA which touched him to no end.
During the Korean War, Don enlisted in the army and was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Airborne (Green Berets) as a paratrooper. Eventually, the army stationed him at Fort Dix where he met Elizabeth Jefferys from Philadelphia. He and “Betty” married in 1955 and settled in Philadelphia where they raised their family. He graduated from La Salle College and Temple University Law School.
He practiced law for many years in the Philadelphia area while also maintaining some ranch operations in Coal County. He tried hard to adapt to city life and always rooted for the Eagles and Phillies, but eventually, the pull back to Oklahoma was strong. He returned to Coal County to expand his ranching operations in 1999.
Don introduced dozens of city slickers to ranching and country shenanigans over the decades. Not known for patience, he excelled at barking orders like “Close the gate!” and “Head off that cow!” to the inexperienced, many of whom could not understand why anyone would get in front of a running, angry 1,600-pound animal. He rounded out stubborn crankiness with generosity, wit, and love. He was an artist in colorful phrases not suitable for print.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and brother-inlaw Donald Fleck. He is survived by his wife Betty Sprague of Philadelphia and Coalgate; his sister (and local comrade) Kathleen Fleck; children Donald Sprague Jr. (and spouse Donna Wisnyi) of Houston, Mary Gay Sprague (and spouse William Hassler) of Washington DC, Kathleen Sprague of Philadelphia, and Amy Sprague (and spouse Craig Wacker) of Seattle; “a mess of grandkids” who all have extensive formative ranch experiences and memories: Caroline Sprague of Seattle, Gabriel Hassler (and spouse Ali Ames) of Los Angeles, Leah Sprague (and spouse Mason Phillips) of Houston, John Green of Philadelphia, Grace Hassler of Washington DC, and Linnea and Corbett Wacker-Sprague of Seattle.
He also leaves two nieces Kay Flom of Dallas and Debbie Sprague of Youngsville, LA; four nephews Jim Sprague of Grapeland, TX, Bill Sprague of Branson, MO, James Corbett Sprague III of Youngsville, LA, and Donald Fleck Jr. of Dallas.
The family extends thanks to Lanny and Tammy Hedgecock, Josh Dorsey and Rocky Harris for all of their contributions in work and friendship and also to all of Don’s friends at his favorite watering hole. They express special gratitude to Chris and Jana Clymer who provided so much support to Don over the last 13 years. While “The Philadelphia Lawyer” retired years ago, “The Cowboy” never did have to because of them. The cattle kept him going.