Rocky Jim Sprott

Rocky Jim Sprott
Rocky Jim Sprott

Rocky Jim Sprott, 69, of Stratford, TX passed away on December 2, 2020.

Rocky was born in Temple, TX on August 8, 1951, to Darrell B. Sprott and Margaret Harrison Sprott. He graduated from Belton High School in Belton, TX in 1969. He graduated with honors in 1973 from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX, with a degree in Agriculture and Bible.

On September 8, 1973, Rocky married Janice Kay Johnson, of Abilene, TX. Together they moved to Killeen, TX and he began a career in the United States Post Office.

In 1979, he transferred to the Belton, TX Post Office. In Belton, he purchased a historic home built in 1929, and they lived in the home and worked on its restoration for the next 30 years.

In 2006, after 33 years with the Post Office, he retired. After retirement, Rocky began his new career as a rancher, moving to Stratford, TX. In Stratford, he was active with the Museum and Historical groups, as one of his great loves was history. He had a great love for books and knowledge.

Rocky was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, where he participated in fellowship, and living history educational programs. He was instrumental in a statewide cemetery survey program to record, honor, and memorialize both Confederate and Union soldiers. This cemetery research is permanently in the archives of the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. These records are available to the public for ancestral research.

Throughout his adult life, he preached for small-town congregations of the Church of Christ. He was a member of the Texhoma, OK, Church of Christ, and when in Colorado, the Mountain View Church of Christ in Buena Vista, CO.

Since his retirement, he has spent summers in Leadville, CO, continuing his lifelong pursuit of climbing almost all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains. While spending summers at Leadville’s 10,000-foot elevations, he enjoyed an active outdoor life.

He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He loved people, but one of his greatest joys was his two dogs.

Rocky was preceded in death by his father, his sister, Jaque, and his mother.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janice Sprott, numerous extended family members, and a large host of friends.

There are no funeral plans at this time. A memorial service will take place at a later date at the ancestral Sprott family plot in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Nolanville, TX.

Memorials can be made to the Mazatlan, Mexico work of Jim and Judy Taylor, a work instrumental in feeding the hungry. Their address is Mountain View Church of Christ, P.O. Box 1479, Buena Vista, CO 81211, with a note for Mazatlan work.

18 Replies to “Rocky Jim Sprott”

  1. Up to this day I still can’t believe Rocky was gone. We certainly missed his cheerful big laughter whenever we were all together with Janice. He was quite a motivator, and a good soul, always having positive attitude. Now that Janice & me are now on the same boat, we will missed him with my late husband all together in lunches & dinners.

  2. Rocky was a great person inside and out. He always had a smile on his face going from one historical subject to another. He was a strong advocate for preservation and historical truth. He taught my sons how to march with great patience. My wife and I are completely saddened by his passing, and will be solely missed. I salute you sir for what you have done.

  3. Rocky will be dearly missed by our family. His joy and passion for life was infectious. I can still hear his amazing laugh that made us laugh along. Rocky and Janice have made a very positive impact on our lives and the life of our granddaughter “Bella” who like us enjoy spending time together in the summers they spend in Leadville. We are so very saddened to realize that he is gone. Janice, we are keeping you close to our hearts and in our prayers.

  4. Rocky loved the books I wrote, and with his education I greatly appreciate that very much. He purchased 11 copies of every book. He especially liked the one I wrote on Leviticus. I just finished a book on Hebrews and sent Rocky 20 copies, which he said he wanted, but I am sure he did not get to use them as he wanted to. I only request that what Rocky wanted to do with the books, which he said he gave as Christmas gifts, be done in Rocky’s memory. I am going to miss him terribly as I remember exactly where he sat in the church in BV and now that spot will be empty. That will be difficult for me. Jim Taylor

  5. We will all miss Rocky. It was always interesting to talk with him. You never new if his conversations were going to go to mountain hikes, confederate soldier information or the bible, but it was always good for learning.
    Rocky was a good man and it won’t be the same with him not here at Mt. View Church of Christ in the summer. We will remember him and be thinking and praying for you Janice. We will all be comforted in knowing that he has gone on to be with God and we will look forward to seeing him there.

  6. Rocky was a great guy and a life long friend. He was a dedicated Christian and everyone remembers his smile. Always a scholar of the Bible and his many other interests.

  7. We loved Rocky. His song leading was excellent! His Bible knowledge was thorough and deep! We will miss his laugh and twinkling eyes! Janice our hearts go out to you in this time of sorrow.

  8. Hearing about Rocky was a shock to us! You will be dearly missed Rocky. I just seen you at Hobby Lobby where I work about a month ago. Love your smile Rocky..I will never Thank you more for remarrying Jimmy and I at Rendzevous. You are a very Blessing to me and everyone around !
    With love , Jimmy and Tina Green

  9. What a great life Rocky lived.
    He truly lived life to the fullest.
    My thoughts & prayers go out to Janice & the family. Bless you my friend – you are so strong.

  10. Oh My! Sherman County Historical Commission has lost its sparkplug. Rocky’s interest in all history kept the Historical Commission moving forward, completing the Sydney Sherman County Project and beginning the next project of a Veterans Plaza.
    Rocky has been a blessing to Stratford and the area. Thank you Janice for sharing him with us.

  11. I just heard of Rocky’s passing and I am in total shock! Rocky was such a fun loving outdoors person. A preacher that knew the Bible well!
    My prayers go out to Janice; I hope someday she can call me and let me know what happened.

  12. Rocky will be sorely missed. His radiant smile and zest for life were heartwarming. We have many fond memories of him and Janice and the whole Sprott family. A great heritage is in that fine family. God bless you and know that you make a difference in every life you touch.

  13. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Janice and family during the days ahead. Rocky was a great friend and inspiration to us all as he demonstrated in his walk with Christ. He will truly be missed but rest assured in the promise that we shall meet again on that beautiful shore.

  14. Was friends and worked with Rocky for over 20 years at the Belton P.O. such a great guy. He took my oldest son Garrett on several hikes from Arizona to Colorado. I think that Rocky was the main reason that Garrett chose his career path. He will be sorely missed by so many. I am deeply saddened by his passing.

  15. Janice, We are so sorry. Rocky’s passing was such a shock. If there is anything we can do please let us know. We are sure going to miss him at church, he kept Fred on track with his knowledge. He was such a nice likable gentleman. Fred and Claudia

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