Cotton Industry Mourns the Passing of Tom Sprayberry

Longtime Calcot grower representative Tom Sprayberry passed away peacefully on June 8, in his hometown of Bakersfield.  Tom was born in Bakersfield, California to Odis and Laura Sprayberry.  He attended East High School, Bakersfield College and Fresno State. In 1951 he enlisted in the US Coast Guard where he served for three years.  After completing his service with the Coast Guard, he joined the Southern Pacific Railroad as a timekeeper and clerk.  During this time he was introduced to a lovely nurse name Joyce Wetzel and married her in 1963.  At that same time he left the railroad to work for Calcot in grower records before becoming a field representative.  He was a field representative for Calcot until his retirement in 1996.  He was heavily involved in the community.  He was President of the Bakersfield Breakfast Lions Club, and also served on the Bakersfield College Alumni Association where he held the office of President on two separate occasions.  Tom was preceded in death by his wife Joyce in June 2019, and survived by his daughter Robbin Smith (Jack), grandchildren Kate and Ben Hamilton of Bakersfield, daughter Jill Newbrough (Mark), grandchildren Lauren Montijo, Andi, and Raef Newbrough all of Great Falls, MT.  Tom will be buried at the Bakersfield National Cemetery where a private service will be held for family only due to COVID-19 restrictions.  A gathering will be held next year at the Woolgrowers to celebrate his life.  Memorial gifts may be directed to Bakersfield Breakfast Lions at P.O. Box 1349, Bakersfield, CA  93302 or the Bakersfield College Alumni Association at 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA  93305.