Marvin R Sprayberry III

Tehachapi, California

May 3, 2004

Age

Military

Rank

Unit/Location

Army

Sgt

4^th Cavalry Regiment, 1^st Infantry Division

Vilseck, Germany

Died in Balad, Iraq, when their military vehicle left the road and flipped over in a canal.

Marvin R Sprayberry III

Sergeant Marvin Ross Sprayberry III
"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."

From Nadja 01/02/06:

My loving husband Marvin Ross Sprayberry III. was born on the 16. August 1979 in Livermoore, CA.
He grow up in Tehachapi, CA.
We got married on the 22. December 2000 in Fuerth/Bavaria/Germany
He was stationed in Vilseck/Bavaria/Germany HHC 2/2 INF.
Marvin passed away on the 3rd of May 2004 in Iraq/Balad.
He is missed by by me his wife Nadja B. Sprayberry, Father: Marvin R. Sprayberry II., Stepmother: Lynn Sprayberry, Mother: Caryn Funkhouser, Stepfather: Tom Funkhouser, Brothers: Marine SGT Jason Sprayberry and wife Kay Sprayberry, Shawn Sprayberry and wife Ericka Sprayberry, Arryn Sprayberry....Grandparents, Halfsisters, Aunts, Uncles and many more people.