A leader of the Marine Industry, Sprad created and founded MRAA (Marine Industry Association of America with 2 other men, Dominic Bonfanti and Don Galey. It was the brain child of these innovative boat dealers to have strength in numbers nationwide so that the large manufacturers would not have all the power. They formed a clandestine group of 11 men and called themselves “The Dirty Dozen”. Once the large boat manufacturers and engine dealers got wind of this newly formed group, they had no choice but to recognize that dealers have the right to run a profitable business for the betterment of a business, it’s employees, and not adhere to unreasonable demands to be loaded down with too much product regardless of if it was a financial burden.All the manufacturers for years would beg to be in on the meetings with the MRAA at the National Convention. They never were brought into that unique round table group.This organization is thousands strong to this date, working in conjunction with GCCA and state wide clean up groups for rivers, oceans, and waterways.
The precipice of MRAA was due to BTAT (Boating Trades Association of Texas), that Sprad challenged his friend Dominic in Louisiana with the Louisiana chapter of boating to get the most signs up. Sprad’s desire to bring dealers together with friendly yet strong communication of all dealers local and afar was atypical to most people’s thinking. It worked for all; as if a few football teams sharing ideas, yet knowing they were going to “play ball” against each other at the major boat shows. A unique approach from a unique business man.
In his formative years, he was raised in Greenville, TX. Born in Stump Toe; the name itself destined him to be a one of a kind guy. The family left the cotton fields to move to Orange during the boom of ship building during the war effort. Sprad and his new best friend, Jess Hay, sold watermelons in Orange as teenagers. He met his new bride of 66 years when she was a Red Cross swim instructor and she taught him how to swim. They learned to water ski together. They competed nationwide where the newly formed ski group, the Aqua Demon and Debs, won many trophies for this new sport of barefoot water skiing, ski jump, distance, slalom skiing, and trick skiing. His wife, Margaret, won so many that she proudly had some of the pins made into earrings. Sprad was a promoter for the ski team, it was then that Century Boats asked him to have a few of their boats on consignment to sell. He was working at DuPont full time at the time. The boat sales, service and parts went well. He took the leap of faith to retire after 19 years at DuPont to go full time as a business owner having 2 stores in Beaumont and Orange. Sprad’s Speed Boat Service became Sprad’s Boat Town. He enjoyed that endeavor for over 60 years.
His farm boy roots never left him. Surrounding himself with many unique animals including a pet llama that would ride with him in his car. He and his wife would actually consider a car with Honeybuns, the llama, in mind.
He had 3 children that all shared in the ski shows, the business and the uniqueness of his full wonderful life. He considered his close friends and loyal employees as extended family members.
Those left to cherish his full, colorful life are his immediate and extended family.