Reverend Bobby Earl Spross, 92, of Orange, Texas, passed away on August 29, 2023 at his home surrounded by family.
Rev. Spross was born in Dallas, Texas on September 8, 1930. He was the sixth of eight children born to sharecroppers Ben Henry Spross and Nelly Grace Weatherford Spross.
Rev. Spross graduated from East Texas Baptist College, where he met his wife Imogene, and from Southwestern Theological Seminary. He was in pastoral ministry for 42 years in several Texas churches; including in Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg, Ranger, Hooks, Longview, and Orange. His last 22 years of full-time ministry were served at Old First Orange Baptist Church (OFOBC) in Orange, where he and his wife have remained faithful members. He mentored many young pastors and church members, and established life-long relationships with people from every pastorate. Even into his final weeks of life, he often called many of those friends he’d made throughout the years. In addition to his pastoring career, Bobby had a passion for building and creating. He learned the construction trade at a young age, working with his brothers in their home-building business. He designed and built several homes, including his and Imogene’s first home in Dallas, their current home in Orange, and the family’s beloved vacation home in Colorado. Throughout his tenure at OFOBC, Rev. Spross led a group of volunteers on annual mission church building trips. As this ministry grew, involving church members and volunteers from around the community, they built churches in over a dozen states across the U.S.
Bobby was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who enjoyed watching his family grow with each marriage and birth. Aside from his love for Jesus, nothing brought him more joy than being surrounded by family and he cherished any occasion that brought them together. Many memories were made at the Spross family’s lively game nights playing charades, cards, and, of course, “42”. But as anyone who knows him could tell you, Bobby’s favorite family occasion was Christmas. The family was blessed to spend many Christmas holidays in their Colorado home. One fond memory for the grandchildren was trekking into the Colorado forest with “Papaw” to cut down the Christmas tree.
In addition to his human family, Bobby was a very proud dog dad. He loved many animals over the years, but his current Australian Shepherd, Bandy, has been his constant companion for the last five years. God chose Bandy as a special gift for Bobby’s final years, for which his family is eternally grateful.
Rev. Spross is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ben Henry, Raymond, Frankie, and Charles Spross; and sisters Rosie Hoy and Margaret Wilson.
Bobby is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois Imogene Spross; brother James Spross of Austin, TX; son, Mark Spross of Orange, TX; daughters, Marla Blanke and husband John of Orange, TX, Gayla Huff and husband Mike of Grand Cane, LA, and Beverly Allen and husband Stephen of Woodland Park, CO; grandchildren Timothy Allen and wife Ashlee, Ashley Huff Hubbard and fiancé Lee Irwin, Elizabeth Huff Trammell and husband Richard, Stephenie Allen Lutz and husband Brett, David Blanke, Joshua Huff and wife Robin, Caleb Huff and fiancé Galadriel Gratton, Emily Blanke Ehrlich and husband Robert, and Kristen Blanke; great-grandchildren Peyton Hubbard, Bobbie Anne Erwin, Dakota and Blake Allen, Maggie and Leo Trammell, Oliver and Charlotte Ehrlich, and soon-to-be Baby Lutz due December 2023; and many other beloved family and friends.
The family would like to express our thanks to the many medical professionals that helped care for Bobby in the last weeks of his life, particularly Dr. Sotolongo’s staff in Beaumont, his medical team at Houston Methodist, and the exceptional staff of Southeast Texas Hospice. The guidance and care of these teams was a great comfort to Bobby and his family in his final weeks.
Visitation will be Friday, September 1 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Old First Orange Baptist Church in Orange, TX. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Old First Orange Baptist Church, followed by an interment at Autumn Oaks cemetery on Old Hwy 90. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Old First Orange Baptist Church or Southeast Texas Hospice, Orange, TX.
Rev. Spross’s nine grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.