John Arnold Sproule was born April 11, 1927 in Toledo, OH. His departure from this Earth was October 2, 2014.
Visitation: 12:30 p.m. until the 2:30 p.m. funeral service, Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL. Graveside service: 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 7, 2014, Emlyn Cemetery in Emlyn, KY.
Dr. Sproule was preceded in death by his first daughter, Susan, who went to be with the Lord in 1962 at age 6. Survivors include his beloved wife, Virginia, of Calera, AL; his daughter, Lynne, of Calera; and his sister, Jeannette Thomas of Knoxville, TN.
After military service overseas in Greece, Dr. Sproule graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1954 as an electrical engineer and worked with General Motors from 1954 to 1965. Helped design and develop the T56 turbo-prop engine, the power plant for the famous C-130's serving in every battle zone since 2004.
As Senior Experimental Engineer, he resigned from GM in 1965 to enter the Gospel Ministry. Received Th.M. Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, 1969 and Th.D. Degree from Grace Theological Seminary, 1981. Held professorships at Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, AL (1970-76), Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN (1976-86), and Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, MD (1986-94). Field of expertise was NT Literature and Exegesis, and primary studies were in NT Greek and Theology. Served as president of Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary from 1991 to 1994, and conducted Bible conference ministries and pastors conferences in the U.S. and internationally.
Dr. Sproule had a great love for dynamic Bible exposition. He was the primary translator of "Romans" in the New King James Version of the Bible and authored many theological journal and newsletter articles.
Memorial gifts may go to Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary. Or, give to research for Huntington's Disease.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
September 17, 2023
School
John Hayden
*EPH ho pantes hemarton
September 17, 2023
School
John Hayden
This morning, as I was preaching from Romans 5:12, I could hear Dr Sproule's voice from 40 years ago, at Grace Theological Seminary, repeating over and over and over again: "...EN HO PANTES HEMARTON!"
July 23, 2015
Douglas R. Kump
Dr. Sproule was one of the greatest preachers and men of God I had the privilege of knowing. He was the President of Washington Bible College when I was a student there and his chapel messages always brought me to my knees in humble adoration and commitment to my Savior. Rev. Douglas R. Kump
July 14, 2015
Martha Morales
Desde Colombia, honra gloria y h onor al Señor por la vida de este siervo.
Martha Cecilia Morales
Cali-Colombia
February 26, 2015
Michael Redding
Lynne, I am sorry I missed the notice, but wanted to send our fond remembrance of your father from so many years ago. May the Lord continue to strengthen you.
November 29, 2014
Bob Clarke
A truely great man of God. A teacher and preacher without equal yet most humble. Mr. Sproule was my theology professor at SBC for two years. I am sadden to learn of his death. May light perpetual shine on him.
October 27, 2014
John was an outstanding scholar, passionate servant of God. I owe him greatly for passing on a love for Greek exegesis
Ed Glasscock
October 23, 2014
Bartley Sawatsky
As a student at WBC and CBS, I can say that everyone's favourite day was when president John Sproule spoke in chapel. His speaking was electrifying and his passion was contagious. But despite his grandeur, he was a humble and compassionate man.
On one occasion my wife and I went to the Olive Garden and spoiled ourselves with a meal. We didn't have the money and were going to put it on the credit card. Halfway through the meal we saw Dr. Sproule and Ginny be seated a few tables away. When it came time to pay our bill, the waitress informed us that it had already been paid. John and Ginny smiled at us and then came over to chat for a few minutes.
Only a guy like John Sproule could make me eager to get up for early morning NT Greek classes. I absolutely loved his classes and couldn't get enough of his teaching. He will be dearly missed until we reunite in heaven.
October 16, 2014
Lisa Wright
Lynne, your Dad will be greatly missed by so many.
Please know that I will be lifting you before our Lord regularly. I know that God will continue to strengthen and keep you. I admire you so for your compassionate care of your parents. You honor them and our Lord. Thank you for being a shining example.
God bless you.
October 12, 2014
John beat me to heaven and heaven is richer for this. He s a dear friend and fellow graduate of DTS in Dallas. He will be missed as a great teacher and personal friend
Dr. Jim Raiford, Jacksonville, FL
October 7, 2014
Linda Erwin
As I read the obituary, I am amazed at the brilliance of this man. But having known him as a Bible teacher but more importantly a man of God, I am humbled and inspired. Prayers are with you, Lynne, for your faithful service to your parents. I know God will give you the strength you need.
October 7, 2014
John Erwin
What a great Bible teacher - one of the great men at Southeastern Bible College that are the reason I went into the ministry!
October 6, 2014
sharon Doss Bond
Dr Sproule ignited a love of Scripture in my soul while I was a student at Southeastern Bible Collge. I still study exegetically as he taught. I will look forward to seeing him again. All my love to his family during this difficult change.
October 6, 2014
Jane Goad Bayse
Lynne,
Yesterday morning, our Sunday School class lesson was on Hebrews 4 - Jesus our great High Priest. I could hear your Dad teaching and preaching this as only he could. I am so sorry for his struggles and the difficulties of his homegoing. But I am thankful he once again has that strong voice and complete healing, as he now sees His Savior and High Priest face to face.
October 6, 2014
I am sorry for your loss, the world loses also!
Charles R Morris
October 5, 2014
Cathie Zimmerman
Dr. Sproule and Ginny were so wonderful to me when I was in school down in Alabama. They opened their hearts and home to me when I was so homesick. I cherish all those memories. Dr. John "Jack" Sproule will be missed by so many still here on earth. Wish I could have made it down to visit with the family. We will be praying for Ginny and Lynne.
Much Love,
Cathie (Landgrave) Zimmerman and family
October 5, 2014
Cindy Johnson Spaugh
Dr. Sproule was one of my favorite profs at Southeastern Bible College. Because he always pointed his students to the Savior, I left each of his classes encouraged to worship my Lord.
October 5, 2014
Richard & Susan Landgrave
Dear Lynn, So sorry to learn of your dad's passing. He was a great man. I will forever be grateful to them for looking after my daughter, Cathie, while she was in Alabama for grad school. Dear, dear people. Our deepest sympathies to you and your mom.
October 5, 2014
Robert Eden
I knew Dr. John Sproule in his days at Washington Bible College and in his attendance at Belcroft Bible Church in Bowie, Md.
When he first attended, and, I first met him, he in referencing some trouble at the church said "What can I do to help the church".
That was John Sproule as I knew him---a true man of God, humble and capable, ready to do God's holy work whenever opportunity availed.
"He walked with God and God took him".
October 5, 2014
William (Bill) Franklin
Dr. Sproule had a huge influence on me at Southeastern Bible College and in the life of my family. I also had started out studying engineering and found his way of thinking and explaining things really resonated with me. However, more important was how real as a person he was. He was genuine and down to earth. He knew how to explain things as an engineer can, looking not just at the surface, but the logic behind things. But, most of all, he was real and transparent and he cared for students. He remained a friend of my family long after leaving Southeastern and was instrumental in the lives of my parents. It's sad to hear of his passing, but at the same time, it is wonderful as he meets the savior face to face, the savior he knew and served for many decades and whom he introduced to so many others. Until we meet again, Dr. Sproule. Condolences to the family who will miss him greatly. May God's comfort be felt strongly in your heart as you grieve Dr. Sproule's absence from your presence.
October 4, 2014
Dr. Sproule had an incredible influence on me. He taught me all my Greek and now I am teaching it to home school and seminary students. His zeal for the Greek language changed my life, my ministry.
Bill Stroup M.Div, Th.M Grace Seminary
October 4, 2014
Karen Arthur
Lynn , please tell your mom Terry and I are so sorry about the loss of her partner, and we are praying for you both in this time of Joy & Grief . God loves you both and will be with you through this time . " Absent from the body is present with our Lord Jesus . Take care sweetie !! We love ya , Karen & Terry Arthur
October 4, 2014
Peter Teague
My wife, Paulette, and I want to write and express our sympathy to the family of Dr. John Sproule. We are so sorry we are unable to attend his Celebration of Life service. Dr. Sproule leaves a wonderful legacy of leadership and scholarship in biblical higher education. As he is now in the company of the Lord Jesus Christ to whom he belonged, Psalm 16 assures us that “in His presence there is joy at its full and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” We are praying that the Lord Jesus, “our void filler” (Ephesians 1:23) will close the gaps in your life made by his departure.
Cordially in Christ,
Peter W. Teague, Ed.D.
President
Lancaster Bible College|Capital Seminary & Graduate School
October 4, 2014
Ivanildo Trindade
God used this man to help me develop the heart of a true pastor. His compassion for people moved my heart to deep levels of empathy I never knew before. Thanks, Dr. Sproule.
October 3, 2014
Sue Alexander
Lynne, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother and father were always so welcoming to me when I was in your home. It was great to see them again a few years ago when I visited you in Birmingham. I didn't know your father, as so many others did, as a scholar, a pastor, or a teacher. I just knew him as your daddy, who was always sweet and kind to his daughter's friend. I am thankful that he is now with the Savior he served for so long, and whole and healthy again. Praying for you and your mother as you journey through this season of grief. Much love to you!
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