Robert Lawrence Sprouse's Obituary
Robert Sprouse, 90, of Longview died May 3, 2025, after a brief illness. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the Chapel at Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd, Longview. Family graveside service will be held at Masonic Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant on Friday morning, May 9. Memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Longview, on Friday, May 9, at 1 pm.
Robert was born at his maternal grandmother’s home in Camp County, Texas, on March 18, 1935, to Eva Carpenter Sprouse and William Arthur Sprouse. He grew up in various communities around East Texas, mostly in Gilmer, Mt. Pleasant, and Pittsburg, while his father worked for the WPA building schools. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1953 and briefly attended Tyler Junior College before enlisting in the US Army. Upon his discharge from the Army, he enrolled in what was then called East Texas State Teachers College [now Texas A&M Commerce].
While in college, Robert won the Freshman Physics Award for having the highest grades in freshman physics classes. He majored in Mathematics, English, and Education with a minor in Physics. He appeared in six plays during his college career, and while appearing in a play in the fall of 1957, he met Rosalee Mayfield, who was the assistant director. They began dating in January of 1959 and married after graduation on August 22, 1959.
Robert taught math in public schools for three years before becoming a computer programmer/analyst in the early 1960s. After five years in that field, he returned to teaching in the subject of computer science, which he taught at Kilgore College for 24 years. Along the way he continued his education, receiving his MS in 1974 and completing all coursework toward a doctorate in computer science.
Throughout the years of raising his family, Robert was a big supporter of his children’s activities, especially their participation in the band at Pine Tree High School and Kilgore College. He served two years as President of the Band Boosters at Pine Tree High School. One of the highlights of that tenure was a surprise invitation by director Dee Hood to conduct the band in Stars and Stripes Forever at their spring concert. Robert had been a band student under Jack England at Pittsburg High School, was delighted to reconnect with Mr. England at Pine Tree, and had considered becoming a band director when he started college — so it was a thrill to live that dream for a moment with both of his children in the band.
Robert was also an avid basketball fan and a faithful presence at Pine Tree boys basketball games for over 40 years. The family was in attendance in Austin in 1973 when Pine Tree won the Boys State Basketball Championship, and he and Rosalee continued to attend the Boys State Basketball Tournament for several decades. Robert was also a lifelong fan of the Brooklyn (later Los Angeles) Dodgers, and the Boston Celtics.
Another of Robert’s true loves was travel. He and Rosalee traveled to all 50 states, multiple Canadian provinces, and over 40 other countries. Some of their favorite trips were to Alaska [multiple times], Australia/New Zealand, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, a safari in Tanzania, and Iceland. He recently spoke about how happy he was that his children and grandchildren love to travel, explore the world, and learn new things.
Robert spent his retirement traveling and visiting his children, his grandchildren, and, as long as he was able, his great-grandchildren. He loved attending their sporting events, dance recitals, band and choir concerts, birthday parties, graduations, and wedding celebrations. He took great pride in his family (talk to him for a few minutes and you’d learn his children are a doctor and a lawyer) and was happy that the family was able to gather recently to celebrate his 90th birthday. Robert was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Longview and of the Henry Foster Sunday school class for over 50 years, often serving as class president. He loved big band music, basketball, travel, puns, puzzles, classic TV shows, and of course, his family.
Robert is survived by his devoted wife of almost 66 years, Rosalee Sprouse; his son Dr. David Sprouse (Jeri) of Kerrville; daughter Lisa Cauble (Ky) of Austin; grandchildren Morgan Merriman (Michael) of Amarillo, Taylor Sprouse (Brittney) of Kerrville, Grace Cauble (Alex Cruz-Aguilar) of San Antonio, and Michael Cauble (fiancée Dr. Winter Tate) of Phoenix, AZ; and great-grandchildren Camden, River, and Hudson Sprouse of Kerrville, and Crockett and Georgia Merriman of Amarillo. He is also survived by his sister Betty Dyer, as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill, Richard, and Roy, and his sister Sue. He was also preceded in death by his beloved Airedale, Watson.
The family wishes to thank Treviso Transitional Care for the excellent care Robert received during his illness. The entire staff made them feel like family. We also want to thank the First UMC family, Marshall Hospice, and dear friend, Frances Morris, for their support during difficult days.
Charitable contributions may be made to Asbury House, 320 S. Center St., Longview, Texas, 75601 (https://asburyhouse.net/donate/) or to the Robert and Rosalee Sprouse Excellence in Education Scholarship at Kilgore College, Kilgore College Foundation, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore, Texas, 75662
(https://giving.kilgore.edu/donate/) (Choose Robert and Rosalee Sprouse scholarship from the drop down menu).
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