Olin Sponaugle

Olin Ray Sponaugle, 92, of Blue Grass, passed away, Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville.

He was born April 26, 1926 in Rexrode, W.Va., now known as Cherry Grove, a son of the late Ray and Pauline (Wimer) Sponaugle.

On June 11, 1948 he married Norma Lee Rexrode, whom he met at Franklin High School.

Following his graduation from Franklin High School, he attended Potomac State College, majoring in accounting. His first banking job was with National Capital Bank in Washington, D.C. prior to being drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Upon being honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal in 1953 he joined the staff of Crabbottom Bank, now The Blue Grass Valley Bank – where he spent 37 years as cashier, Director and CEO. Mr. Sponaugle retired in 1991, but continued as a Director for an additional 27 years, stepping down March 22, 2018 with 64 years of dedication to The Blue Grass Valley Bank.

Olin was a member and past treasurer of the Blue Grass United Methodist Church; past president and current member of the Blue Grass Ruritan Club; past president of Highland Telephone Cooperative and had helped to organize and implement the first cable T.V. service in Blue Grass.

Additionally, Olin enjoyed spending time on his farm, traveling with his family and will be remembered as a very quiet and thoughtful “man of few words.” “Pap” will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren as “the best granddaddy they could have ever had.” In his later years, Pap would be ever present when he would hear the grandkids outside or in the garage tinkering and was always ready to go supervise or help on the farm. Most of all, his nightly calls to check on each of them will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Kerry Sponaugle; and brother, Merle Sponaugle.

Surviving family members include his wife, Norma Lee Sponaugle; a daughter, Chanda Sponaugle; three grandsons, Brent Sponaugle and wife, Tammy, Aaron Sponaugle and wife, Abby and Jon Sponaugle, all of Blue Grass; granddaughter, Kara Sponaugle of Waynesboro; great-granddaughter, Addison Rae Sponaugle of Blue Grass; daughter-in-law, Jeanette Jamison of Franklin, W.Va.; brothers, Berlie Sponaugle and wife, Dolly and Gaylon Sponaugle and wife, Ruby, all of Franklin, W.Va.; sister-in-law, Barbara Sponaugle of Dayton; aunt, Idelta Lambert of Circleville, W.Va.; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Blue Grass United Methodist Church with the Rev. Andre Crummett officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Grass Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Tony Crane, Greg Puffenbarger, Rusty West, Jesse Eckard, Kevin Sponaugle, Brandon and Brett Sponaugle, Doug Butcher and Jed Sponaugle.

Honorary pallbearers will be friends in attendance, as well as members of the Blue Grass Ruritan Club.

The family will receive friends, 6-8 p.m., Saturday at Obaugh Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Grass Cemetery, 3042 Blue Grass Valley Rd., Blue Grass, Va. 24413 or to the Blue Grass Ruritan Building Fund, c/o Debbie Trible, P.O. Box 52, Blue Grass, Va. 24413.