Cornelis Sprangers

Cornelis (Cornell) Sprangers, 84, a prominent member of the Grays Creek community was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Tuesday, December 22, 2015. He passed peacefully at the Cape Fear Medical Center after a brief illness and was surrounded by his loving family.

Cornell was born on April 9, 1931, in the Dutch East Indies to Cornellius Sprangers and Gerda Veen as the oldest of ten siblings with nine sisters. He married the love of his life Yvonne Esser on July 19, 1951, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He is survived by his wife Yvonne; his daughter, Yvonne and son in law Dave (Nolan) of Grays Creek; grandchildren, Christopher, Melissa, Jason and Desiree, and great-grandson Andrew; his son, Glenn and daughter in law Gal (Murphy) of Billerica, MA; grandson, Eric and Jessica (Lankenau) and great-grandson Myles; granddaughter, Jessica and Dan Smith; great granddaughter Alexis; his youngest son, C. Anton and daughter in law Candise (Tom) of Centennial, CO.; granddaughter, Jennifer and Adam (Moeller) and great grandson Jackson, and granddaughters Carolyn and Kimberly.

Cornell's education spanned Europe and the United States and he was fluent in five languages. His first career in America was translating technical manuals to and from Italian, German, French, English and Dutch. He finished his career as a nuclear engineer at Entergy in St. Francisville, LA.
In Cornell's younger years he served as a tough and fit marine in the Korps Mariniers, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps during the "Cold War." He was also trained as an ocean lifeguard and enjoyed playing European football in his youth and loved watching the game for the rest of his life. As the oldest of ten, "Boy" was his nickname because he had nine younger sisters. Boy's family left the Dutch East Indies in 1947 to go back to The Netherlands where he finished high school and obtained his bachelor's degree.

In 1960 he led his family to the greatest country on earth, America, to achieve the American dream. Cornell started his quest for this dream in Pittsburg, PA, then Massachusetts, Zachary, LA, and finally Grays Creek, NC. Because of his selfless dedication, love of Christ and love of America, he successfully wove a web of success throughout the country and his legacy is thriving.

Cornell personified the words class and dedication. He will be remembered for his love, generosity and tremendous sense of humor that was always accompanied by his little boy smile. His legacy in life was exemplified through the love he shared with his wife Yvonne and his devotion to the Lord by living a Christian life.
Cornell actively worshipped at Marvin United Methodist Church in Grays Creek, NC and volunteered regularly at the Grays Creek Christian Center

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in the name of Cornell Sprangers to Marvin United Methodist Church, 6740 NC Highway 87 S, Fayetteville, NC 28306.