Thomas W. Sparks

Thomas W. "Tom" Sparks Funeral services for Thomas W. "Tom" Sparks, 78, of Longview, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Burial will follow in Memory Park Cemetery. He passed away Sunday, January 3, 2010, in a Longview nursing facility. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, January 5, 2010, at the funeral home. Mr. Sparks was born November 2, 1931, in Hallsville, Texas, to Russell and Mary Sparks. He was a lifetime resident of the Hallsville/Longview area. Upon graduation from Hallsville High School, he entered the U. S. Navy. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for Lone Star Steel for 10 years, then went to work for Kelly Springfield in Tyler and retired after 40 years dedicated service. Mr. Sparks was an avid fisherman and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Robert Sparks; and his sister, Emma Jean Mitchell. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 35 years, Lucille Sparks of Longview; children, Silas Sparks of Corpus Christi, Terry Burghart and wife Angie of Shreveport, Louisiana, Pam Allen and husband Wayne of Gilmer, and Roger Burghart and wife Kathy of Gilmer; nephew, Ronnie Weaver of Longview; niece, Sophie Alston of Hallsville; grandchildren, Stephania Hendrix, Wayne Allen Jr., Lindsey Burghart, Brian Burghart and Kevin Sparks; and great-grandchildren, Colton Hendrix and Chelbi Hendrix. A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com