John Spratt Obituary

SPRATT, JR., John Dr. John Spratt, Jr., AS, BS, MSPH, MD, FACS, FAAMA, died Sunday, February 13, 2005, in Charleston, SC, following a long illness. Dr. Spratt was born in San Angelo, TX, January 3, 1929. He received his AS degree from the University of TX at Arlington, his BS from Southern Methodist University, his MD from the University of TX Southwestern Medical School, and completed his surgical internship at Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO in 1953. Dr. Spratt attended college on a Naval ROTC scholarship, and entered active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Medical Corps officer in 1953. He served as the Battalion Surgeon, 1st Marines Division, and Surgeon to the West Coast Island Defense Unit, Paeng-nyongdo, Korea, earning the Korean Service Medal with Marine Corps Emblem, and the United Nations Medal. Dr. Spratt completed his active duty in 1955 and continued his service in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1993, retiring at the rank of Captain. In 1955, Dr. Spratt and his wife, Beverly, returned to St. Louis where he completed his surgical residency at Barnes Hospital and a Fellowship in Radiotherapy at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. In 1961, Dr. Spratt and his family moved to Columbia, MO, where he served as the Chief Surgeon and Medical Director, Department of Surgery at Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital from 1961-1976, and as the Chief of Staff from 1964-1969. While at Ellis Fischel, Dr. Spratt conceived of, raised funds for and built the non-profit Cancer Research Center, serving as its Director and Clinical Director of Research from 1964-1976. In 1976, Dr. Spratt and his family relocated to Louisville, KY, where he was a Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine from 1976 until his retirement in 2003. Dr. Spratt's interest in surgical oncology and the study of tumor growth began during his medical residency and would last throughout his career. In addition, his duties at Ellis Fischel Hospital spurred his interest in public health and a systems approach to cancer control. His research and studies resulted in the publication of numerous articles and books, including the texts Cancer of the Breast, Neoplasms of the Colon, and Groin Dissection. As a recognized expert in the field of surgical oncology, Dr. Spratt was regularly invited to lecture at various universities and professional gatherings around the world. He was also a member of many professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons, The Society of Head and Neck Surgeons, the American Surgical Association, the Society of Pelvic Surgeons, the Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. Dr. Spratt's community involvement included the Rotary Club, Boy Scouts of America, Leadership of Louisville, and he was a member of the congregation at Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville. Dr. Spratt is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beverly Winfiele Spratt; a brother, Thomas L. Spratt of Tuscon, AZ; three children, Dr. John A. Spratt of Charleston, SC, Shelley W. S. Young of Alexandria, VA, and Robert S. Spratt of Marietta, GA; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1pm, Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY, followed by a graveside service at 2:15 pm at Cave Hill Cemetery, 701 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY. PEARSON'S FUNERAL HOME, LOUISVILLE, KY, in charge of local arrangements. The Spratt family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Kornhauser Health Sciences Library, University Libraries, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.