James “Jim” Ray Sprinkle, 91, of Huntington, passed away peacefully at 10:57 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Tipton Place in Huntington.
Jim was born on May 20, 1931, in Huntington, the son of Charles Sprinkle and Edna (Evans) Sprinkle. He graduated from Huntington Township High School with the class of 1949. Jim attended Huntington College before marrying the love of his life, Lila Garretson on Sept. 22, 1951, in Huntington. Just a few weeks later, he was drafted into the United States Marines where he proudly served overseas in the Korean war and was stationed in Hawaii. He called Fire Missions to the USS Missouri for targets for the Seventh Fleet. Jim retired as Vice President of Triad-Utrad in Huntington after 30 years of service. He was a life member of V.F.W. Post 2689 of Huntington and a faithful member of New Hope Church of Bippus until he and Lila resided at Tipton Place in late 2021.
Growing up, Jim was an Eagle Scout and an athlete, playing basketball, running track, pitching for the Huntington Township Bearcats. He loved people, never knew a stranger, enjoyed making others laugh with a good joke. Jim was a talented musician, ham radio operator and loved raising State Fair winning pigeons. He was a passionate pilot and always looked forward to flying his Piper Cub and Comanche. Jim liked to fly somewhere new for breakfast or dinner and take his kids up to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. He was a devoted family man and always believed in having a goal to reach. He fulfilled his lifelong dream and was able to participate with fellow Veterans on the Honor Flight in 2022.
Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Lila Lee Sprinkle of Huntington; two sons, James Ray (Carol) Sprinkle Jr. of Huntington, Blaine Tyler Sprinkle of Huntington; daughter, Lynette (Larry) Rodgers of Craigville; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Ray Sprinkle, mother, Edna Sprinkle, sister, Ruth Jayne Urschel, brother, Max Eugene Sprinkle.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Pastor Jill Miller officiating. Burial will be in Lancaster Cemetery in Huntington, IN.
Preferred memorials to the New Hope Church of Bippus and Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750.
Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com.
Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of James Ray Sprinkle.
