Gerald Eugene Spratte

Gerald Eugene Spratte, 84, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2017 after an extended illness. Born on March 6, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of the late Ethel and Charles Spratte. He was raised in Talladega, Alabama by his mother and stepfather, Leon Curley.

Drafted out of High School by the St. Louis Cardinals, Jerry declined and accepted an offer from Bobby Dodd to play football at Georgia Tech for whom he played from 1951 – 1955. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. Jerry met his wife of 61 years, Barbara Murrell, while serving in the Army while based at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina.

Jerry was a member of the Berkeley Hills Golf Club for 35+ yrs. He loved golf, cards, and good food. He was an athlete, a devoted husband and a father of three. He served as the President of the Buckhead Men’s Exchange Club and was active in the Georgia Senior Golf Association. After serving his country, he worked for Hubert Nall Company for 17 years before starting his own company with Lewis Shelnutt in 1974. Spratte-Shelnutt became one of the most respected produce brokerage firms in the Southeast over the next 25 years.

Jerry was a faithful member of Oak Grove UMC and Faith Sunday School class. His gentle demeanor and love for others will be missed.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; children, Kimberly Blick and her husband, Bruce, Brad Spratte and his wife, Deone; sister, Frances Stringfellow and her husband, Bucky, of Gulf Breeze, Florida; grandchildren, Lauren Schwartz and her husband, Nick, David Spratte of Durham, NC and Hannah Thomas of Auckland, NZ. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Leigh Ann.

Special thanks to Dr. Jackson, The Fountain View Center and the staff who loved and cared for Jerry.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 28 at Oak Grove UMC. Reception immediately following in the Grand Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Murphy Harpst Children’s Home, 130 Grady Road, Cedartown, GA 30125.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.