Darrell Earle Sprague

Darrell Earle Sprague, 79, a longtime resident of Central Vermont, died Saturday May 24, 2014, at the Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Brandon June 7, 1934, son of Earle and Alta (Johnson) Sprague.

Darrell was previously married to Elizabeth Chapman (Goslant), and they had four children together. Darrell was later married to Monica Kulp.

Darrell graduated from Brandon High School and began a career in dairy farming, first on the family farm in Leicester, then working his own farm in Leicester Center. Upon moving to Waterbury in 1965, Darrell worked for his former brother-in-law, Raphael Lowe, on his dairy farm on Blush Hill and finally the State Farm in Duxbury.

Darrell later was employed at Twin City Equipment in Montpelier before becoming a truck driver for Blue Seal Feeds. In 1983, he became store manager at Blue Seal in Montpelier and later was the store manager at the Blue Seal Feeds in Williston. In 1994, Darrell opened Dog River Feed and Pet Supplies in Northfield Falls with his son Jeff.

Darrell’s passion was Haflinger horses. For many, many years he raised, sold and showed his Haflingers. Every time a new foal was born you could see how proud and excited he was — whether it was the miracle of the birth or the dollar signs in his eyes (not really sure, but probably a little of both).

Moving to East Montpelier where he resided for many years, Darrell continued to raise his beloved Haflingers and he resided there with his feline best friends, Socks and Charcoal.

Darrell had many interests — showing his horses at the Fryeburg (Maine) Fair, watching and/or listening to every possible Boston Red Sox game, races at Thunder Road, pony pulls, tractor pulls, and buying and selling automobiles. Darrell’s memberships included Haflinger Association, Dog River Horse Club, Mad River Horse Club and Maine Pony Club.

Darrell is survived by his sister, Joyce Wood-Lowe of Waterbury; his children, Carmen Morgan and husband Keith of Waterbury, Pamela Sprague Mack of Waterbury, Kevin Sprague of Middlesex, and Jeff Sprague and wife Jackie of Randolph; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; longtime friend Barbara Hull and her family of Montpelier; as well as many, many friends. Darrell will forever be in our hearts and very sadly missed.

Services will be private for family. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Waterbury. To send condolences, visit perkinsparker.com.