Obituary of Dorsel Franklin Spriggs

Dorsel Franklin Spriggs, 92, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2019, in Lakewood, Washington. Dorsel was born September 21, 1926 in Ririe, Idaho to John and Pearl Spriggs.

He was married to Lola Newsom on June 17, 1950. Their union lasted for almost 69 years. They felt the best thing to hold onto in life was each other. Together they proudly raised three children: Donna, John, and Neoma.

Dorsel is survived by his devoted wife, Lola Spriggs; two daughters, Donna Faye Spriggs and Neoma Spriggs Phair (son-in-law David Phair); daughter-in-law Barbara Spriggs; several grandchildren (Jason, Justin, Jenna, Abby, Savannah, Jennifer, and Jason) and great-grandchildren (Natalie, Nicole, Jaxxen and Bruce). He is also survived by many, many adored nephews and nieces.

Dorsel is preceded in death by his parents; five sisters and one brother; as well as his beloved son, John, who passed in 2015.

At age 17 he proudly enlisted with the US Navy. He fought in WWII as a shipfitter third class, serving aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, aka The Mighty Wee Vee. The family learned early to never call it a boat; she was a ship!

Upon departure from the Navy after 3-1/2 years, at 21 years of age, he returned to Oregon, to a sweet, little-known country community called Harlan. As Mom would tell it, she met Dorsel on the Harlan Road when he quite literally ran her off her bicycle, on accident of course. Love ensued after that chance meeting.

He was a proud member of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) for 18 years. His work buddies affectionately called him “Shorty.” Many would say that no one could run a backhoe like Dorsel. He worked on several dams that were built on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Thus, all of his children became “road babies” and benefited from all the educational “road trips” endured moving around the country. They were hard times, but exciting times.

After his construction career ended, he moved back home to Harlan and worked in the saw mill for several years. In 1994 he sold the family farm and moved to the Oregon Coast. A few years thereafter, in 2006, at 80 years young, he packed up all his belongings, leaving Oregon behind, and headed to the great State of Alaska by way of the Alcan Highway. He spent the next seven years with his son and daughter-in-law fishing on the bank of the Kenai River. When he wasn’t fishing, then there was much camping, shrimping, clam digging, snow shoveling, and wood chopping to be done. He helped them build a beautiful log home. These were some of his happiest years; he had purpose.

In the summer of 2013 he moved back to the “lower forty”, to reside in Gig Harbor, Washington.

In 2017, accompanied by his youngest daughter, he proudly flew “One Last Mission” back east to Washington D.C. on the Honors Flight to visit and reflect at the World War II Memorial built in his honor. It was an emotional packed trip but one that allowed him to connect with other service brothers and sisters who understood and shared his journey and experiences during that early period of time, perhaps even receiving a little closure of some old wounds--like finding the final puzzle piece.

Forever our hero. His was a life well-lived. Dorsel leaves much behind so that others may share in his spirit, his lessons, hardships, and yes, his journey. He will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege to know him. He never met a stranger. He was a genuine human being who loved talking with people; one of the best story-tellers that ever lived—a trait passed down to him by his father. He had a ready smile that was often filled with humor. He was a good teacher and quite simply the glue that held his family together. He was the best provider and could be counted on for any and everything. His word was his worth and he kept his promises. A hands-on, patient father who took time to explain all the whys. He was a deep-thinker; the wheels were always turning. Passing along his wisdom and curiosity, he was a fixer of anything. He had grit and determination and he never gave up. He was a man’s man. A jack of all trades. He often said he was leaving this world with no regrets. This world was truly a better place with him in it.

Some of his most cherished times were spent on a riverbank with a pole in one hand and a cold one in the other. No doubt he’s found a good spot down at his favorite fishin’ hole.

Dorsel will be interred with veteran military honors at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon on Friday, April 5, at 2:30 p.m. For anyone who is interested, the following Go Fund Me account has been set up with all monies to be donated to the Puget Sound Honor Flight: https://www.gofundme.com/neoma039s-campaign-for-puget-sound-honor-flight

Anchors Aweigh! His love, honor, and integrity will live on in us.

 

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

(a life filled with just enough good things to sustain you)

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.