Howard Sparrow

Howard Sparrow
MERCEDES, TX. -Howard Sparrow, long-time Valley businessman, Mercedes resident and civic leader, died peacefully at the age of 88 on November 6, 2007.
Howard Gaines Sparrow was born the second of seven children to Ryan Finley and Mary Moody Sparrow of Lavaca, Alabama. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, and was later encouraged by one of the CCC officials to go to college. He attended Livingston State Teachers College, and later studied forestry at LSU before joining the Army Air Corps eight months before Pearl Harbor. He received his commission and wings at Goodfellow Air Base in San Angelo after completing bombardier training. The Air Corps was interested in dual qualifications so Howard was sent to San Marcos, Texas for additional training as a navigator.
Early in 1944 he was assigned to the 58th Air Wing, 20th Air Force, 444th Bomb Group, 677th Squadron stationed 70 miles from Calcutta, India. He flew 12 missions in B-29's to such places as Formosa, Manchuria, Burma and Sumatra. In returning from the longest bombing mission ever attempted, Howard and his crew had to ditch their plane in Japanese infested waters of the Indian Ocean due to a faulty fuel line. The crewmembers who survived the crash landing spent 36 hours in life rafts nursing injured comrades before they were rescued by a British naval destroyer.
Before going to War, Howard married Mary Rosalyn Saladino of Mercedes. In 1946, the young couple moved to the Valley with their first child Judy, where Howard initially worked for his father-in-law Charles Saladino. With Mr. Saladino's help, Howard eventually decided to go into business with his brother Robert Moody Sparrow. The brothers purchased some Army surplus equipment and went door to door drumming up business for Queen City Laundry-an enterprise that eventually became one of the largest and most successful commer-cial/industrial laundry ope-rations in the Valley. After Robert Moody left to start his own laundry business in their hometown of Butler, Alabama, Howard's son Chip joined him in the business. With the loyal help of Roy Galvan, Lugardo Cantu and Leon and Tommie Lightsey, Queen City enjoyed a 43-year reputation for its commitment to quality and personalized service.
Howard was active in Mercedes politics, serving several terms as a City Commissioner and when needed Mayor-Pro-Tem. He was, at various times in his long service-oriented career, the Chairman of the Hidalgo County Draft Board, President of the Mercedes Lion's Club, President of the Mercedes Chamber of Commerce, and was presented an award as being the longest lifetime member of the Mercedes American Legion Post. He was chosen ``Man of the Year'' by the Mercedes Chamber of Commerce in 1988.
Howard was active in the First United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Howard and Mary Rosalyn had six children and were divorced in 1967. Howard married Betty Jane Meyer Pulliam, originally of Weslaco, in Moses Lake, Washington in 1968. They made Mercedes their home for 39 years surrounded by 8 children. Howard and Betty shared many good times with family, friends and with church activities. Traveling was a favorite pastime shared by Betty and Howard.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents Ryan and Mary Sparrow; by his siblings Mary Ryan Crow, Beatrice Ezell, Robert M. Sparrow, John K. Sparrow and Dub Sparrow; his stepdaughter Martha Elizabeth Pulliam. He is also survived by his sister Yvonne (Jay) Flanagan, his wife Betty and seven children; Judith Ellen (Jim) Peabody, Charles Ryan ``Chip'' (Sandi) Sparrow, Gregory Scott (Kathy) Sparrow, Marianne Sparrow, Nancy Lee (Stephen) Miller, Susan Michelle (Brad) Schwartz, Mark (Melissa) Pulliam and fourteen grandchildren.
Visitation will be held today, Friday, November 9, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present 5 to 7, at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Mercedes. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Roberta Goodman, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Mercedes, assisted by Art Beckwith, Pastor of Rio Grande Valley Healing Room of Weslaco.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brad Bailey, Brad Meekins, Spencer Sparrow, Peter Prata, Ryan Schwarz and Brandon Miller. Honorary pallbearer will be Roy Galvan.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Aurora House, 2646 W. 18th St., Weslaco, TX 78596, First United Methodist Church, 200 16th St., Mercedes, TX 78570 or The Gideon's International, 415 S. International Blvd., Weslaco, TX 78596 or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home.
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