Kern County Obituaries

Marvin Ross Sprayberry III

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown
 
"Little Marvin"
Aug. 16, 1979 - May 3, 2004
Staff Sgt. Marvin Ross Sprayberry III, 24, of 
Tehachapi, died the morning of May 3 in Khalis, 
Iraq. SSG. Sprayberry and three other 1st 
Infantry Division soldiers died from injuries 
sustained when their Humvee rolled over 
during a combat patrol near Khalis. 
SSG Sprayberry was on active duty serving in 
the United States Army a military operational 
specialty of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle system 
maintainer in the 1st Infantry Division, Foxtrot 
Troop of 4th Cavalry Regiment assigned to 
Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2004. 
During his career as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle 
mechanic, SSG Sprayberry served two-six 
month tours in Kosovo in 1999 and 2000. The 
13 ribbons he earned, including the Purple 
Heart, the Bronze Star and a promotion to 
SSG, were awarded posthumously. All 
exemplified his successful military career. 
After graduating from Tehachapi High School in 
June 1997, Marvin Sprayberry III enlisted in 
the Army in July of the same year and soon 
thereafter was stationed in Vilseck, Germany. 
This is where he met the love of his life, Nadja, 
who became his wife in December of 2000. 
Marvin and Nadja continued to live in Vilseck, 
while he continued his military career. 
Marvin is survived by his wife, Nadja and 
mother-in-law, Elvira Uselmann of Germany; 
father, Marvin Sprayberry Jr. and step-mother, 
Lynn Sprayberry of Tehachapi; mother, Caryn 
Funkhouser and husband Tom of Bakersfield; 
brothers, Jason and wife Kay of San Diego; 
Shawn and Arryn of Bakersfield; and sisters, 
Johnna of Bakersfield and Jodie of San Diego; 
as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece and a 
nephew. 
We are truly saddened by our loss, but also 
proud of the courage Marvin showed. He made 
the ultimate sacrifice so we could reap the 
benefits of living in a free country. War is not 
popular or unpopular in a soldier's eyes. SSG 
Sprayberry's political views really didn't 
matter. When it came to doing his job, he just 
did what he knew to do and did it well. It 
doesn't make it any easier, but he served his 
country honorably. 
In 1777 Thomas Payne said, "Those who 
expect to reap the blessing of freedom, like 
men must undergo the fatigue of supporting 
it."
A full honor service was held on May 14 for 
SSG Marvin Sprayberry, when he was laid to 
rest in Arlington National Cemetery in 
Arlington, Va. 
A memorial service will be held on May 22 at 1 
p.m. at the VFW in Tehachapi, 221 W. 
Tehachapi Blvd. 

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htmphotos/kern/