Paul Raymond Sparkman Sr.

Paul Raymond Sparkman Sr. rPaul Raymond Sparkman Sr. went to be his Lord and Savior June 30, 2011, at the age of 89. He was born March 3, 1922, in Ralls, Texas, to Walter and Lala Jane Perry Sparkman. Paul graduated from Lubbock High School in 1939. He was a member of the Lubbock High School Cinderella State Championship team in 1939. He played center and was awarded the honor of being an All State player. Recently, May 20, 2011, he was among the first inducted into the LISD Athletics Hall of Honor. Paul married his high school sweetheart, Doris Annett Swain, Aug. 30, 1941, in Lubbock, Texas. They raised three children in Lubbock, two daughters and one son. He was a loving husband and devoted father. He and Doris would have celebrated 70 years of marriage in August. Paul began his career at Texas Sheet Metal at the age of 13. After his marriage he joined the Army Air Force in December 1941. He was in active duty until September 1945 as a B-24 pilot. After his time spent in the Army Air Force, Paul returned to Lubbock and to Texas Sheet Metal, where he dedicated a total of 68 years of service upon his retirement at the age of 81. Paul was an active member of LakeRidge Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon in 1963 at Central Baptist Church. His parents; three brothers; and a sister preceded Paul in death. He is survived by his wife, Doris Sparkman; daughter, Marcia and husband Geoff Adams of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Karen and husband Ron Day of Knoxville, Tenn.; son, Paul and wife Judy Sparkman of McKinney, Texas; seven grandchildren, Mike Day, Lt. Geoffrey Shain Day, Tye Hartman, David Sparkman, Graham Adams and Jessica Day; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and sister, Ruby Kattsman of Lubbock. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the LakeRidge Baptist Church with Bro. Raif Turner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Rix Funeral Directors. Pallbearers will be David Sparkman, Michael Day, Shain Day, Greg Hartman, Graham Adams and Raleigh Steinhauer.