James Watson Spradley

1923 - 2018

James Watson Spradley

Eastman, GA - James Watson Spradley died peacefully at home on October 25 in Eastman, GA at the age of 94. Born in Pinehurst, Georgia, he was the son of the late Ossie T. and Mary Kenneth Watson Spradley.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, the 27th of October from 6:30 to 8:30 at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home in Eastman. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, the 28th of October at two o'clock at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home in Eastman. Rev. Wayne McDaniel will officiate the ceremony.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Marilyn Mallard Spradley, and his sister Leila Spradley Winters. He is survived by brother Ossie Thomas Spradley, Jr of Pinehurst and sister Lena Spradley Daniel of Tyron, NC and his children James Watson Spradley, Jr. (Frances) of Nashville, TN, Melissa Spradley Collins (Randy) of Wheeler County, GA, Kenneth M. Spradley Hixson, TN, Neil Bryan Spradley (Rae) of Eastman, and Meredith S. Spradley (Jody) of Rock Hill, SC. Surviving grandchildren are Joseph Meir Spradley of Nashville, TN, Laurie Hunt Spradley of Nashville, NY, Julius Odell Spradley, III (Annie) of Dallas, Texas, Mary Cannon Swain (Stewart) of Tuscaloosa, AL, Henry James Spradley of New Orleans, LA, William Lamar Collins of Wheeler County, GA, Cannon Hayes Spradley, of Rock Hill, SC, Jamie Watson Spradley, of Birmingham, AL, Walker T. Spradley of Eastman, GA, Andrew Gordon Collins, of Wheeler County, GA, and Neil Perry Spradley of Eastman, GA.

Jim graduated from Pinehurst High School before serving in the Pacific Campaign of WWII in the United States Navy. He graduated from Princeton University, class of 1948, Cum Laude in Economics. He co-founded and served as president of Aunt Fanny's Bakery in Atlanta, GA. In 1966 the business was sold to Pet, Inc. In 1969, Pet promoted him President of Stuckey's Inc., in Eastman, GA. In 1982 he and his son purchased a controlling interest in Standard Candy Company in Nashville, TN. He served as chairman emeritas of the company until his death.

He served as Chairman of the Board for the Dodge County Hospital Authority, Director of the First Citizen's Bank and Trust, Chairman of the Georgia Business and Industry Association, Jim was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Business Council of Georgia, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heart of Georgia Technical Institute, and was appointed by GA Gov. Zell Miller, Interim Commisioner of Dodge County. He was awarded 982 Entrepreneur of the Year from the Georgia Industrial Development Association, and the 1986 Governor's Spirit of Georgia award.

Concurrent to all of these volunteer positions, Jim gave continuous support and attention to his church, Rotary International, and Presbyterian College. He served as an Elder and member of the First Presbyterian Church, Eastman, GA and Savannah Presbytery, serving as lay leader and on numerous committees and councils. He joined Rotary International in 1970 and had over 40 years of perfect attendance. Jim served as a Trustee of Presbyterian College for 31 years. In 2002 the college awarded him the Title Trustee Emeritus awarded him the Doctor of Commercial Science degree.

Jim will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit, kindness, and self-sacrifice, and will be loved by the many lives he touched.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, the 27th of October from 6:30 to 8:30 at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home in Eastman. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, the 28th of October at two o'clock at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home in Eastman. Rev. Wayne McDaniel will officiate the ceremony.

In leiu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Saul Rubin and Jim Spradley Rotary Foundation, the Alzheimer's Foundation of American or the First Presbyterian Church, 5334 Oak Street, Eastman, GA 31023.