Spradlins farm-raised their children; now all have careers in agriculture

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Buddy and Trudy Spradlin's three children have all developed successful careers in agriculture - aspects that came from the parents' love of agriculture, family farming, thriftiness, and honesty. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

March 6, 2003 -- What does an ag teacher from Gilmer, an ag teacher from Mount Pleasant and an Extension agent for Hopkins County have in common? The answer ... "very special parents."

The parents, Buddy and Trudy Spradlin of Hagansport, are very proud of their three children, Sue Witt (Gilmer ag teacher), Marty Spradlin (Mount Pleasant ag teacher), and Larry Spradlin (county Extension agent).

"They have passed our expectations," Buddy said.

So how does one instill the love of agriculture - so much that they would have jobs they love in agriculture - in one's children, especially when you are living in Garland, a small metropolitan area.

"Garland back then is not what Garland is today. Our nearest neighbor was probably a mile-or-so down the road," Buddy said. "We had land where the kids could keep animals."

"The kids have always had 4-H projects. They showed horses, cattle and Sue showed sheep," Trudy added.

"They had an excellent ag teacher (Ray Carson) and a good calf roper across the road. Both Larry and Marty can rope," Buddy stated.

Even though the family lived in Garland, Buddy's roots were in the country. He grew up the middle child with one older and one younger sister in a the small community of Pike, which is between Leonard and Blue Ridge.

At the age of 7, the family moved "down the road a little closer to town (Leonard)" where he went to school.

Because of these roots and family values, Buddy's heart has stayed in the county. Even when living in Garland, the family would spend every weekend in Hagansport on the family's farm.

"We would get here on Friday night and go back to Garland on Sunday night," Buddy said about the trip made every weekend for about 30 years, before moving to Hagansport.

Buddy, 74, works keeping the farm going. They run crossbred cattle, a few horses, and hogs (that no one claims, except for Marty). Sandy Cannon, a neighbor, helps Buddy with daily chores and Marty does his share when he is home.

A Jeep accident on the farm last year, put the elder Spradlin's chores on hold for about a month. He said he is "not 100 percent yet but is getting closer.

"I was out in the Jeep and hit a hole. I went up and when I came back down, I hit wrong. I thought I had broken my back," he added.

Despite the usual farm-related misadventure, life has been good for the Spradlins, who meet in 1946 in West Texas.

"She was walking down the road and I stopped and introduced myself," Buddy said with a smile.

The couple married in 1948 and Buddy entered the Army. Larry was born five years after the marriage, Marty came five years after that, and Sue was born five years after Marty.

"We do things in fives around here," Buddy laughed.

"It was really good having the kids five years apart," Trudy said. "We had time to enjoy each of them."

With their children involved in ag education and youth, both Buddy and Trudy enjoy attending the livestock shows.

"Marty left for Houston this morning (Feb. 27), and both Sue and Marty will be there next week. I love going to Houston (Livestock Show and Rodeo). They have the best entertainment. I wonder if George (Strait) will be there?" Trudy said. "Years ago when the kids showed, Elvis came to Houston. He walked through the show barns. That was something."

Strong work ethics,"keeping their feet on the ground and getting your shoulder to the wheel," was the way of life for the Spradlin kids.

"We always tried to put our kids in a position to think for themselves," Buddy said. "I've always told them what something cost. To be thrifty and honest."

Buddy said on a trip from Garland to Hagansport one weekend, they saw a guy in a newer Ford truck and then they saw another guy in an old beat-up Chevy truck. He asked the kids which one was better off. The guy with the new truck, who might be wondering how he was going to make the next payment or the other man who didn't have to worry about making his next payment? The answer ... the man who wasn't worrying about the next payment.

Being money conscious, according to Trudy, is Marty's strong point.

"One day we were at a restaurant and Sue wanted some orange juice. The juice cost 85 cents, but when she got it, she didn't want it. Marty told her that juice cost 85 cents and she had better drink it," Buddy cited.

Now all adults, Sue, Larry and Marty are still in close contact with their parents. To sum up their upbringing, Sue said, "They made it possible for us to show our animals. We were able to keep our animals at home when about every other kid had to keep their animals at the ag barn. They supported us, always helping, and that's why we are successful."