County Agent Larry Spradlin is surrounded by his family, as he embarks on retirement from his
position with Hopkins County.

 

Family, Friends, Co-Workers, and Agriculturalists Honor Spradlin
on Retirement

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

An humbled Larry Spradlin fights back tears as local dairy and beef cattle producer,
Don Smith, outlines many of his accomplishments over the past 12 years as
Hopkins County Agent.

 

It could only be described as "packed" as family, friends, co-workers, and fellow agriculturalists met at the new Hopkins County Extension Office, on Tuesday afternoon, to honor retiring County Agent, Larry Spradlin. "Larry has been major force in Hopkins County, since assuming the position of County Agricultural Agent, some twelve years ago," expressed a tearful friend and local ag producer, Don Smith. "It's been a pleasure to work with him and this crowd this afternoon is evident of the impact he has had in Northeast Texas!"

Fellow Agricultural Agents from District 4 made their way to congratulate Spradlin on his retirement and the District Agricultural Agent presented him with an engraved clock from the State Extension Service, to commemorate the event.

 

Snapshots from the past......family members brought a series of pictures
that traced Spradlin's life from boyhood to the present.

 

The group continued to "pour" into the office as more and more people "dropped-by" to honor Spradlin and share a portion of their memories with him and his family. Spradlin's parents and other family members were in attendance, as well as many school associates from Garland, Texas. Notably, in the crowd was Ray Carson, now of Valley View, Texas, who was Spradlin's own vocational agriculture instructor in high school.

 

 

Dr. Roger K. Arnold, of nearby Commerce, was on hand to congratulate Spradlin on his retirement, as Arnold had been the college teacher and influence that brought him to Hopkins County in 1977 as a vocational agriculture teacher at North Hopkins High School.

 

Among those wishing Larry Spradlin a successful retirement were former teachers,
Ray Carson and Dr. Roger Arnold.

 

Spradlin tearfully relished in being surrounded by his many, many friends and ensured everyone that he will continue to be active in Hopkins County and share in still making a contribution to agriculture. "My health may have declined but when I see my ol' roping buddies, my former 4-H members, and my grandchildren, I know that I want to continue to be active in whatever I can do, here in Hopkins County!"

Spradlin who has been extremely active as County Agent, with the local 4-H and youth programs, was presented a handmade quilt pieced with NETLA t-shirt scraps, by the youth organization, to remember the occasion.

Best of Luck to Larry and his wife Sherrie, as they open a new chapter in their life!!!

 

Friends from all across the state of Texas gathered to wish Larry Spradlin a successful and enjoyable
retirement, as he enters a new chapter in his life.

 

_____