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Gaylord Arthur Sprauve Dies

Gaylord Arthur Sprauve

Gaylord Arthur Sprauve: Dec. 30, 1935 – Oct. 5, 2022

Born in General Gade on the island of St. Thomas on Dec. 30, 1935, Gaylord Arthur Sprauve was the first-born of the union between the late Dr. Gehardt Alexander Sprauve (1906-1987) and the late Eunice Alexandria Canton Sprauve (1913-2003). In many ways, Gaylord operated in the model set forth by his father.

Though Gehardt had no more than a sixth-grade education, he was able to thrive under the apprenticeship of Dr. Arthur Gordon, earning his license in 1945 to practice dentistry in the Virgin Islands, and eventually receiving by bequeathing the dental practice and office from Dr. Gordon’s wife.

Public service was also promoted by Gaylord’s mother, who distinguished herself as a devout student, avid reader and dedicated teacher, passing the licensure examination in 1929 and teaching at a number of schools.

Gaylord was one of many Sprauve children. His siblings included Genevieve Adrena (Sprauve) Hicks (1928-2018); Gehardt Alexander Sprauve Jr. (1931-1995); Dr. Gilbert A. Sprauve, the new patriarch of the family; Guilderoy Ashley Sprauve (1938-2016); Dr. Marva Elaine (Sprauve) Browne (1941-1988); Gerwain Adrian Sprauve (1944-1991); and Charlayne Maria Sprauve (1950-1967).

Gaylord earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fisk University. He would go on to pursue graduate studies at a number of universities including New York University, Northcentral University and The Graduate School of America. Like all he had done in his life, he would use that knowledge and the skills he gained during his collegiate years as a springboard for his career, in 1958 becoming a high school science and mathematics teacher.

Amidst this journey, Gaylord built a family of his own. He and his first wife, Albertha (Jennings) Sprauve, raised five children: Larry Allen Sprauve, Gisselle Albertha (Sprauve) Fredericks, Gabrielle Augusta (Sprauve), Genée Ava (Sprauve) Varlack, and Germaine Arthurlyn Sprauve. Later, he would marry Jacqueline (Woodley) Sprauve and embrace her daughter, Hollymarie Lang, as one of his own.

In Gaylord’s storied career, he served as both a supervisor and personnel technician, contributing to the recruitment, testing and certification of applicants for government service. He later accepted a position at the College of the Virgin Islands as director of admissions and registrar for the newly established institution. After leaving the College, Gaylord returned to his private hauling company while at the same time earning a Master of Arts in educational administration from New York University.

From then, in 1978, Gaylord returned to public service when appointed acting commissioner of public safety, and, in 1979, he assumed the position of assistant commissioner of public safety. That same year, Gaylord was recruited to serve as district superintendent of schools.

In 1981, he made the decision to leave this position and focus on his family as well as his growing business. For a period of six years, he was able to devote his efforts in this manner, only briefly making his foray again into public service in 1984 when he appeared on the primary ballot for a Senate seat in the 16th Legislature.

Then, in 1987, Gaylord was called upon by the governor to serve as insular superintendent of schools until 1989 when he became the drug policy advisor to the governor and was tasked with leading the Law Enforcement Planning Commission with an emphasis on criminal justice planning and grant administration.

In addition, he was in charge of providing oversight of a drug enforcement unit assigned to the office of the governor. This work would bring Gaylord to offer testimony at formal congressional hearings.

In 1994, Gaylord retired from formal public service, though his voice never disappeared from political and community affairs. Among his many ventures over the years, Gaylord was a cherished member of the Community Leaders Council, the Virgin Islands Small Business Action Council, and the Black Chamber of Commerce, where he argued for local and global reforms. He would also run again for office in 2000, pursuing a seat in the 24th Legislature for St. John/St. Thomas, arguing that spending needed to be focused on both healthcare and public safety while also encouraging a review of the existing Virgin Island public school curriculum.

Though he was not elected to serve on the legislature, Gaylord clearly left his mark on the people of the Virgin Islands through his passion, his carefully crafted vision, and his voice of reason for the future V.I. he hoped to help create.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline W. Sprauve; his son, Larry Sprauve; his daughters: Gisselle Sprauve-Fredericks, Gabrielle Sprauve-Garner, Genée Ava Varlack, Germaine Arthurlyn Sprauve and Hollymarie Lang; his brother, Dr. Gilbert A Sprauve; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service on Monday, Oct. 24, at Nisky Moravian Church. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. with service to follow at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Eastern Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Center of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.

For online directions or to share a special memory, please visit our website at www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com

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