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John Sparks Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Sparks
Joseph, Olga, Serenity & Josie Sparks
February 28, 2009
Papa was the best husband, grandfather and man. Papa wasn't a man of many word's, but he would always lead by example. He didn't hold negative feeling's towards anybody, and he would be the first to offer his assistance to anyone in need, even total stranger's. God broke the mold after making Papa. We Miss You And Love You Papa.
Nick Sparks
February 27, 2009
My grandfather was the best man I ever knew. He had a work ethic like no one I have ever known, even in his last few years the parkinson did not alter that. He was a caring and loving father, grand father and husband. I hope to one day be as good as a man as he was. You'll always be in my heart and mind I love you papa.
Jerry & Mary Lou Ferguson
May 20, 2008
Gary, Mary Lou, and I were very saddened to hear of Johnny's passing. He was truly a kind and generous person who was always there if you needed help. I remember when Mary Lou and I were first married my 1953 Chevrolet broke down and he replaced the master cylinder in the basement garage of your home on Quincy. While he was working on the car Bill Smith and I got into your great grandfathers home made wine that was stored in the basement and I got plastered and Johnny got a kick out of seeing Mary Lou read me the riot act. I always enjoyed sipping a beer or two with Johnny and talking about cars. I know this loss will be especially difficult for Stella because Johnny and her were so close but she has a lot of great memories to help her through this difficult time. I recall on our last visit we had just dropped by to say Hi and they had plans to go to a friend’s house and Johnny felt bad because they had to leave and was trying to get us to go with them. I believe this exemplifies just how sensitive and caring Johnny was when it came to other people’s feelings. He was truly a kind and generous man and will be missed by all those he befriended along the way!
carloyn facemire
March 5, 2008
Dear Aunt Stella, Gary and Janey, I am very sorry to hear of Uncle John's passing. Your annual visits to W.V. were always a bright spot in the year. My thoughts are with you now and always. Carolyn
March 4, 2008
Anna Riddle (sister)
Summersville, WV
Jennifer Tartaglia
March 3, 2008
Really gonna miss our "uncle Johnny" as we called him. Our sympathy to you and your family. Our our love, Daniel, Joseph and Jennifer Tartaglia
1938 persinger wva
March 3, 2008
Beatiful Stella & there in-laws
March 3, 2008
March 3, 2008
John and I discussed our old tractors and how to fix them. I am sorry I have lost another friend.
Bob Riddle Summersville, Wv
Dale & Ellen Riddle
March 3, 2008
Will always have the memories of Uncle John bringing the fire works to West Virginia every July ,and the good times we had with Kenny and Gary during those summer vacations,
John was always working on Grandma"s house, fixing the roof and anything else that needed fixing.
All our Love and prayers to the family.. love Dale
Don and Renee' Savage
March 2, 2008
We will miss uncle John, such a quite soft spoken man, always willing to help or offer encouragement, always in our thoughts and prayers
Gary Sparks
March 2, 2008
I can’t count the number of times my brother or myself would call my dad late at night to come and tow us home because our cars broke down. Even though dad had to be up at 4am I never heard him say a harsh word to us. I have a automotive related business and I owe it to my dad. I got my love of cars from him. I can remember always tagging along with him on Saturday mornings going to auto parts stores, junk yards or looking at a car for sale. During the spring and summer every Friday night dad would take us to the old Lakeside Speedway to watch the races, sometimes on Saturday night we would go to Riverside stadium to watch races there and sometimes on Sunday night we would go to Olympic stadium to watch races there. Dad didn’t hunt or fish or go to the lake his hobby was working on cars. When he moved to Kearney, Missouri he bought a 1939 Ford 9N tractor and he loved that tractor. I think he rebuilt it 3 times. He spent thousands of hours mowing his 7 acres with that tractor. The house in Kearney was right next to I-35 and somebody was always breaking down and dad would be there to help them. One time a couple with several little kids had a flat tire and you could tell they didn’t have much at all, well their tire couldn’t be fixed so dad drove them to Kearney and bought them a new tire had it mounted and then drove them back and put it on their car and gave them some money to help them on their way, that’s the way dad was. Another time him and mom and one of dad’s sisters and her husband were on a tour bus in Kentucky and the bus broke down, well dad got out and was able to fix the bus so they could continue on to the next town to have it properly repaired. Dad could build or fix anything. When I reached driving age I drug dad all over town to look at cars that I wanted to buy, I had a job but I still needed dad to sign for me to get a loan. Car after car I showed dad and test drove and he told me no to all of them. Of course these cars were all very powerful and I probably would of gotten killed or hurt and dad knew best. Dad wasn’t one to tell you, “I Love You” he showed his love by his actions and deeds. He truly was the Good Samaritan and he had the best work ethic of anyone I ever have known. You never found my dad sitting around, he always kept busy working on something. Dad was able to retire at an early age and was blessed to be able to do what he enjoyed for 25 years before his health started to deteriorate. Even though dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease dad never had any bad thoughts or feelings. Dad would never complain. I hope I can be as good as an example to my son’s as my dad was to me. Dad loved to drink his beer, he never went to bars, he always enjoyed sitting in his backyard or enclosed porch and enjoy his beer. With his medications for Parkinson’s dad wasn’t able to have a beer in several years. I hope dad is enjoying a cold one right now. I hope to see him again. Dad I Love You. Gary
Gary Sparks
March 1, 2008
Dad was a good father, son, husband, brother and grandfather. He could do about anything that needed to be done and fix anything. I owe my love of automobiles to my father. When I was little I would always tag along with him to auto part stores, junk yards or someplace to look at an old car for sale. During the spring and summer months every friday nite we would go to the old Lakeside Speedway to watch the races, occasionally we would go to Riverside speedway on saturday nite or Olympic satdium to watch the races on sunday nite. Dad truely loved working on cars. I can remember when I turned 16 dragging dad all over town looking at cars to buy, I had a job but dad still needed to sign for me to get a loan. Car after car dad would tell me no, not this one, of course all of these cars were very powerful and I propbably would have gotten killed or seriously hurt if I owned one of these cars and dad knew best. I can't count how many times my brother or myself would call my dad late at nite to come and tow us home because our cars had broken down. Even though dad got up a 4am each morning for work I never ever heard him say a harsh word to us about coming to get us. As I grew into adulthood and got married and owned my own houses dad was always there to help me repair anything that was broken or build any kind of additions that I wanted to build or use his strong arms and back to help me move countless times. When dad moved to Kearney, Missouri he bought a 1939 Ford 9N tractor and he loved that tractor. He rebuilt that tractor 3 times and spent thousands of hours mowing his 7 acres with it, it was his pride and joy. Dad was able to retire at an early age and was blessed to have had 25 years of good health to enjoy doing the things he loved. He loved to travel back home to beautiful West Virgina to see his mother and sisters. Him and mom also enjoyed traveling with dad's sisters Anna and her husband Harlan and his sister Ellen and husband Jink. Dad lived a good clean long life and even though he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease he never complained or had any bad feelings. Dad loved to drink his beer, he never went to bars, instead he always loved sitting on his patio or back room addition and enjoy his beer after a hard day of working. With his medications for Parkinson's he was not able to have a beer for several years so I'm sure God, St.Peter and my dad are enjoying a cold one now. Dad didn't hunt or fish or go to the lake, his hobbies were working on cars, tractors or anything with an engine. He always kept busy and you never seen my dad just sit around. Dad was a very good man who will be missed by me, my mother and his grandson's. He was raised in the hard times of the depression and didn't have much but a big loving family and he appreciated the things he had. He may not of had a big fancy house or a big investment portfolio but my dad was one of the richest men I knew. He was a good hardworking man who never complained and would help anyone in need. He set a good example for me and for my sons with his work ethic, honesty and his quiet love for his family. Dad didn't show his emotions outwardly with alot of "I Love You's" but he showed his love for us by his deeds and actions. I have no doubt that dad is in a better place and I hope to be as good of a father to my sons as he has been to me. I was blessed to have you for my dad. I know you will watch over your family and I look forward to seeing you again someday. I Love You. Your son Gary
Gary Dickey
March 1, 2008
Mrs. Sparks.....My thoughts as well as Mary, Dusti and Katey's are with you during this difficult time. Know that John is in a better place and his suffering has eased. Remember all the good times, as I know I do. Bro Sparky, I may be far away but I am at your side now the same as all the years we grew up together. Stay strong.
Cookie Sparks
March 1, 2008
John and Stella (Dad & Mom) have been a part of my life for 31 years. Mom will miss Dad tremendously. Dad is no longer in pain and I am sure he is in heaven with Our Father, visiting the other relatives. I feel honored to have been a part of his life, he was/is a great man. His patience and giving ways, his sense of humor and the "toothpick" will always be in my heart. He was the best "poppa" to my sons. I love you Dad, I will be there for you Mom, love - Cookie
Lenore Riddle
March 1, 2008
Lenore Sparks Riddle & Family
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