Gary Wayne Sproles

Gary Wayne Sproles, 78, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, after a courageous seven-year battle with multiple myeloma and MDS.

Born in Kingsport, Tennessee, Gary was the son of the late Ralph and Laura Miller Sproles. He graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School. After graduation, Gary attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a Master of Science degree in engineering administration. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

In 1969, Gary began his work career with Hoston Defense Company in Kingsport. He later began working for Eastman Chemical Company where he held various management positions. He was a registered professional engineer and led several technical and professional organizations at the local, regional, and state level during his career. After thirty-five years of service, he retired from Eastman in 2004 as Director of Global Real Estate Services. His job took him to many parts of the world. Gary was very fond of saying he was blessed to travel the world but was always happy to come home to East Tennessee.

After retirement from Eastman, Gary began a second career. He obtained his real estate license and began practicing commercial real estate as an affiliate broker at TCI Group-Jerry Petzoldt Agency LLC. He spent twenty years serving his customers and building many friendships. His wife Shea joined him in the firm as an agent in 2019.

Gary and Shea shared many interests during their marriage. They enjoyed international travel during their work years at Eastman. In 2000, they purchased land in Fall Branch, Tennessee where they built a home and raised Tennessee Walking horses. Their happiest times were spent on the farm with their horses and dogs. They loved showing their horses and spending time at horse shows. They also enjoyed trail riding, especially at Big South Fork. One of Gary’s proudest moments was Shea winning a world championship in 2011 on her horse Liar Liar at the National Walking Horse Celebration horse show in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Gary was an avid sports fan and loved the Tennessee Volunteers.

Gary was active in his community, serving on various boards and committees of several organizations during his career including Kingsport Tomorrow, Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Greater Kingsport. He was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Kingsport, Tennessee.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ralph Lynn Sproles and Donald Ray Sproles; and his daughter, Laura Elizabeth Lauderbach.

Gary is survived by Shea, his devoted caregiver and wife of thirty-two years. In addition, Gary is also survived by his son, Ben and daughter-in-law Lauren and two granddaughters, Shelby and Savannah of Summerville, South Carolina. He is also survived by his mother-in law, Brenda Witherspoon (Bill); sisters-in-law, Karen Sproles, and Marnie McKenzie; and his cousin, Jim Sproles (Sandra), of Batesville, Arkansas, who he considered a brother. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Dempsey.

Arrangements are pending at this time. 

Honorary pallbearers are Bill Bachman, Jerry Petzoldt, Buddy Bounds, Mike Carter, and Jackie Barron, as well as his TCI Group LLC colleagues.

His wife expresses deep appreciation for the care Gary received from Dr. Shipstone and the nurses at Ballad Regional Cancer Center and Indian Path Community Hospital. They became like family during the seven years he battled cancer. She also expresses gratitude to Dr. Baljavic and Dr. Kishtagari at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center for the years of care and help during Gary’s stem cell transplant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660. If you are able, please consider donating blood or platelets in Gary’s honor. We are so thankful for the blood and platelet donors who helped him through the years.