Obituaries : Douglas Sprague; Descendant of County Founders

Douglas R. Sprague, a descendant of one of the county’s founding families, has died. He was 90.

Born in Carpinteria in 1905, Sprague came to Ventura at age 5 when his father, Harold Sprague, moved the family to a ranch on Ventura Avenue.

In his early 20s, he learned how to fly a plane and became a flight instructor during World War II, said his wife, Edeene Sprague.

After his father passed away in 1942, Sprague took over the family’s six lemon ranches, including the 40-acre ranch on Ventura Avenue, his wife said. For years, he expanded the family business and purchased another ranch in Camarillo, where he moved 30 years ago.

As the county began to develop, Sprague sold most of the ranches. Half of the land at the Ventura Avenue ranch was sold to the government so California 33 could be built and the remainder was sold to the Pepsi-Cola Co., Edeene Sprague said.

After his retirement in 1967, Sprague spent his time playing golf and flying.

Sprague died Wednesday at a convalescence home in Camarillo after a long illness. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Suzette Sprague, of Los Osos.

Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary is handling funeral arrangements. The family has scheduled a graveside service for Saturday.