Glen Dale "Sparky" Sparks

Glen Dale "Sparky" Sparks of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, November 22, 2014 in Waldron, Arkansas. Sparky was born January 1, 1932 in Winfield, Arkansas to Arvil Sparks and Opal (Cheek) Sparks. Sparky was 82 years, 10 months and 21 days old.

A jack-of-all-trades, Sparky moved back to Waldron from California in 1955, and opened the service station across from the Sale Barn with his family. He married Wanda Jean Whitmire in June of 1956. After the filling station, Sparky worked for AVI. He then began his career as a car salesman for Theo Money Chevrolet, then Denton Motor Company. Sparky then took office as the Scott County Treasurer, and remained there for 18 years. In 1986, his wife, Wanda, passed. Sparky remained the Scott County Treasurer until 1990 when he began a two year term as the Scott County Judge. He retired from public office after that to return to selling cars for Carl Laird. He married Mary Jo McDowell in April of 1993, and in the early 2000's, he began working to map the county roads for the new 911 emergency system. A civic minded man, Sparky was a member of the Lions Club and the Rodeo Club. He served on the Board of Directors for Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance, Scott County Senior Citizens Center, and the Waldron Housing Authority. He was a long time member of the Waldron First Baptist Church.

Perhaps Sparky is best known as a musician having played alongside his sons Roger and Russell their whole lives. Formally, he was a member of the band Poteau Valley Boys, and informally he would play with anyone who would let him. He would sing with his sons and Sparks Grass, the Turkey Track Band, the Louisiana Grass and the First Baptist Church choir. Sparky would also volunteer his time and played music at the Waldron Nursing Home for the residents and staff. He loved going to Turkey Track and did odd jobs for the festival from picking up rocks when Bill and Juanita Churchill first opened it, to driving the shuttle bus for Bill, Linda and Dusty Lovett. When he wasn't volunteering his time he preferred to play washers and visit. While he was never an avid sportsman, later in life he really enjoyed his early morning fishing trips with his good buddy, AG Morrison. Besides fishing, he loved Jesus, this community, NASCAR and the Razorbacks. The icing on his cake, however, was "wrastlin" with his great grandson Cayman and was lucky enough to spend his last evening on Earth with him.

Sparky leaves behind to cherish his memory, two sons: Roger Sparks and wife Tammie of Waldron, Arkansas and Russell Sparks and wife Dawnette of Lavaca, Arkansas. PaPaw will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren, Kayla Sparks and husband John Carnahan and Cortland Sparks all of Waldron, Arkansas and one great grandson Cayman Black of Abbott. Sparky will also be a treasured memory for one brother, Gerald Sparks of Raleigh, North Carolina and two nephews, David Sparks and wife Tiffany of Lonoke, Arkansas and Jeff Sparks and wife Danielle of North Little Rock, Arkansas, one step-daughter, Melanie McDowell and step granddaughter, Alysia Skinner and husband Josh of Greenwood, Arkansas.

Sparky was preceded in death by his first wife, the mother of his boys, Wanda and his second wife Mary Jo, his parents, Opal and Arvil Sparks, and a step-daughter, Stephanie Garza.

Sparky 's life celebration will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Randy Hogan and Rev. Warren Gassaway officiating. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Sparky's pallbearers will be Cortland Sparks, John Carnahan, Gary Nelson, Eddie Swisher, Mark Ward and A.G. Morrison.

Sparky's visitation will be Tuesday, November 25, 2014 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas where Sparky's family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Scott County Senior Citizens Center, Waldron Lions Club or the Waldron First Baptist Church, c/o Heritage Memorial Funeral Home, P.O. Box 358, Waldron, AR 72958.

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