Obituary

Frederick Sprain, 66 of Goodyear, Arizona died May 8, 2022. He was born June 14, 1955, in Millbrae, California to Thomas Sprain and Mabel Pennington. He is survived by his wife Debi, son John (Jess) and daughter Anna (Agustin).  His grandchildren Johnathon, Sydnee, Qiesha, Destiny and Kalepa. His brother Sam, sister Darlene and nephews Sebastian and Sean.

Fred grew up in California and enlisted in the US Air Force after high school. As an Airman, Fred traveled around the world. His travels included: New Mexico, Nevada, Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Idaho, and Alaska. Fred met his wife, Debi at 19 while stationed in New Mexico. Fred was working under Debi’s father, John, at the time.

Fred Sprain was an opinionated man with a traditional “my way or the highway” mentality. Strong in his convictions (some might go so far as to say stubborn), he was never at a loss for words during conversations over a Canadian Club Whiskey. Fred was also a “take the shirt off my back” kind of man; “quietly providing” for his friends and family while asking for nothing in return. Fred loved spending time with his family and was always willing to listen if they needed it. Fred was known as “Papa” or “Papa Smurf” because he was the man with the answers. He enjoyed being a grandparent and taught his grandkids how to detail their cars. He was proud of being an airplane mechanic, planning analyst, being a father and grandfather.

Fred was the kind of man that would wake up early to take care of yard work, take a nap, then wake up and strum a guitar, then cap the day off with watching baking/cooking, Battlestar Galactica, or the occasional zombie survival show. He also religiously watched the movie “The Proposal ” every weekend. And when Sandra Bullock and Betty White danced around the fire singing the “To the Window ” song, he would get up and dance too, to make his family laugh. He was known for his chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pie, and his amazing meatloaf and veggie lasagna. Every night before bed, he had to have a handful of M & M’s. His favorite hobbies were golf, bowling, and naps…lots of naps. Fred also doted on his “grand-dogs,” Rocky, Jax and Bruno.

Fred was a man too big to be put into any box; both figuratively and literally. Fred was a big man with a bigger heart and for that will be forever remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. When the information is available, it will be posted.