George Franklin Sprowls

George F. Sprowls passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at his residence. He was born in Wheeling on July 14, 1941, to Elmer and Mattie Sprowls of Wellsburg, both now deceased.

He graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1959, the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, the University of Pittsburgh in 1978 with a master's degree in public and international Affairs, and West Virginia University with a doctorate in Policy Analysis.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kathleen Stankiewicz Sprowls, formerly of Windsor Heights WV. Kathleen and George met as sophomores in high school and have been together ever since. He is also survived by his daughter Reverend Doctor Teresa (Tracy) Sprowls (spouse, David Jenks) of Bellefonte, PA, daughter Clara Sprowls Jenkins (spouse, Rob Jenkins) of Summit NJ, and son Michael Franklin Sprowls (partner, Sarah Carpenter) of Fairmont, WV. In addition, he is survived by Tracy's daughter Sorrel, Clara's daughters Amanda, Meredith, and Erica Jenkins, Michael's children Austin and Shayla Sprowls, and his great- granddaughter, Darla Jane Sprowls.

George served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years. During this time, he served as a gunship pilot in Vietnam, visited 38 different countries, and served as U.S. Naval Attaché in Saudi Arabia and then Egypt before his retirement as a Commander in June of 1991. George and Kathleen came to Fairmont in 1991 and opened the Acacia House Bed and Breakfast `on Locust Avenue. They closed the B & B in December 2004, and Kathleen opened Fairmont Avenue Antiques in September 2005. During this time, George was teaching at Fairmont State as an Adjunct Professor in Political Science. He became a full-time tenure track Assistant Professor in 1998. While in that position he helped develop and supervised a major in Intelligence Research and Analysis, the only major in the state at that time. He retired as a Professor Emeritus in 2007. George was active in helping to sustain historic preservation in Fairmont. He served as President of the Fairmont Historic Landmark Commission and actively supported the establishment of the Fleming- Watson Historic district. He was also instrumental in convincing City Council to establish the Fairmont Historic Preservation Review Commission and served as its first Chairman. He also served as President of the Board of Governors of the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the 1990's and worked with Congressman Mollohan in preserving the Children's Home as the new office for the MCCVB when the connector was being planned. Following his retirement as "janitor in an antique store" in December 2011, he and Kathleen purchased a fishing cabin on Middle Island Creek in Tyler County where George and Kathy spent many happy years fishing, writing his autobiography for his future great grandchildren and just enjoying his wife and family.

In May of 2020, George suffered a stroke which curtailed his activities but not his spirit. George was a Unitarian Universalist and a longtime member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

Friends and Family may call at the Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and again on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 10:30 am until the time of service at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at the Grandview Memorial Gardens. Full military rites will be conducted by The Marion County Honor Guard and The United States Navy.

Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family at www.carpenterandford.com

Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sprowls family.