1931
Harlow
2013
Harlow Sprouse
March 19, 1931 — April 5, 2013
Harlow Sprouse was born March 19, 1931 in Vega, Texas. In the early ‘50s Harlow served four years in the Air Force as an electrician and bomber on the B-36, “the Big Stick”. He then graduated from the University of North Texas in 1956 with a degree in Political Science. At The University of Texas School of Law, Harlow participated in the First Annual Moot Court and gained legendary status for turning down the Texas Law Review because he was told that one couldn’t do Law Review and Moot Court. In 1959 he won the school’s Moot Court and was named the Outstanding Senior Student. Harlow graduated with scholastic honors finishing third in his class, receiving his Doctorate in Jurisprudence. He then received the second highest score on the bar exam in 1960. Shortly after moving to Amarillo, Texas, Harlow and Jerre joined the Unitarian Fellowship in the early ‘60s. He served as president of the Fellowship in 1967-1968.
Harlow’s professional law career began with the Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo in 1960 where he became a partner in 1966. He was Board-Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law. In the ‘70s he served as President of the Amarillo Bar and went on to serve as the Director of the State Bar of Texas 1975-1978, became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1980, and chairman of the Texas Bar Foundation 1980-1981. In 1984 he co-authored the “Texas Trial Notebook”. He served as a Board Member for the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism from 1978-1999. Harlow loved his State Bar work and the many friends he made. He was honored to be asked to run for State Bar President seven times.
In 1990 Harlow co-founded the Sprouse, Mozola, Smith and Rowley Law Firm, eventually evolving into the Sprouse Shrader Smith firm of today. During this time he was elected chairman of the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation and received the President’s Award of Merit from the Texas State Bar in 1995. He also sat on the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee. In the most recent decade, Harlow greatly enjoyed serving on the Maxus Board of Directors in Houston.
Outside of his career, Harlow dearly loved serving on the Amarillo Little Theater Board and being involved in ALT activities. His greatest joy, of course, was his family. Harlow is survived by Jerre, his wife of almost 55 years; three daughters and five grandsons: Lisa and Daniel Wells, Oliver (12) and Emory (10); Leslie and Christo Carson, Alexander (3); Laurie Sprouse Cole and Chris Cole, Matthew (9) and Zachary (6); sisters-in-law: Virginia Sprouse; Norma and Langford Sneed and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A Memorial & Celebration of Life will honor Harlow on Friday, April 12, at 3PM at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan. The doors will open at 2:00PM, please use entrance 11. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Amarillo Little Theater or Amarillo Area CASA.
Harlow’s professional law career began with the Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo in 1960 where he became a partner in 1966. He was Board-Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law. In the ‘70s he served as President of the Amarillo Bar and went on to serve as the Director of the State Bar of Texas 1975-1978, became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1980, and chairman of the Texas Bar Foundation 1980-1981. In 1984 he co-authored the “Texas Trial Notebook”. He served as a Board Member for the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism from 1978-1999. Harlow loved his State Bar work and the many friends he made. He was honored to be asked to run for State Bar President seven times.
In 1990 Harlow co-founded the Sprouse, Mozola, Smith and Rowley Law Firm, eventually evolving into the Sprouse Shrader Smith firm of today. During this time he was elected chairman of the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation and received the President’s Award of Merit from the Texas State Bar in 1995. He also sat on the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee. In the most recent decade, Harlow greatly enjoyed serving on the Maxus Board of Directors in Houston.
Outside of his career, Harlow dearly loved serving on the Amarillo Little Theater Board and being involved in ALT activities. His greatest joy, of course, was his family. Harlow is survived by Jerre, his wife of almost 55 years; three daughters and five grandsons: Lisa and Daniel Wells, Oliver (12) and Emory (10); Leslie and Christo Carson, Alexander (3); Laurie Sprouse Cole and Chris Cole, Matthew (9) and Zachary (6); sisters-in-law: Virginia Sprouse; Norma and Langford Sneed and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A Memorial & Celebration of Life will honor Harlow on Friday, April 12, at 3PM at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan. The doors will open at 2:00PM, please use entrance 11. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Amarillo Little Theater or Amarillo Area CASA.
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