Elmer Daniel Sperry Jr.'s Obituary
Dan was born in Miami to Elmer Sperry and Dorothy Williams Sperry. The family moved to Tavares when the war ended. He attended Tavares Elementary and High School. He attended the University of Florida as a freshman. He was a walk on with the U of F Gator freshman football team. He transferred and was in the first graduating class at FTU (now UCF)
As a teenager he loved water skiing (even barefoot), riding horses and especially playing sports for Tavares High School. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track, but was best known for his speed on the football field.
In 1965, he married Dickie Jean Reich from rival Mt. Dora. He opened Lake County Septic Tank Service and was in business for more than 40 years.
Dan and DJ had two children, Patsy and Danny. He loved watching Patsy at swim meets and
Danny in whatever sport he was playing at the time.
He was a Florida Gator Booster for more than 40 years. Tailgating and cheering at the games was always a highlight of the year. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf at Pine Meadows Country Club and made many long-time friends there. He loved old movies and loved to challenge anyone to name the stars of these movies.
Dan never knew a stranger, and there are people all over that know his life story after just five minutes. He loved to sing and dance and tell jokes and always insisted that he “should have been in Hollywood”.
He is survived by his wife, Dickie Jean, his children, Patsy and Danny, his sister, Patricia Todaro (Ft. Lauderdale) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Sydney, and somewhere the two of them are telling exaggerated stories that become more exaggerated with each telling.
What’s your fondest memory of Elmer?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elmer?
Share a story where Elmer's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elmer you’ll never forget.
How did Elmer make you smile?
