Harold T. Sparks MD

The Lord called Dr. Harold T. Sparks, 93, of Evansville, IN home on June 2, 2014 at 12:15 a.m. He was surrounded with love and family at his bedside at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Harold was born in Brockton, Illinois on November 28, 1920 at home. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Marie Sparks, his wife Eloise Sparks of 61 years in October, 2008, brother-in-law John Dickerson in March, 2012, and his son-in-law Ron Orman in August, 2013.He is survived by daughters, Sharon Sparks of Poseyville, IN and Ruth Orman of Evansville; five grand-children, John Wingo, Joe Wingo and his wife Tracy, and D.J. Wingo, all of Poseyville, IN., Dr. Nikki Fortner and her husband Wayne of Tampa, Fl., and Thomas Sparks Perdue and his wife Yesenia of Dallas, TX.; four great grand-children, Jordan O’Risky of Evansville, IN., Carter Fortner of Tampa, FL., Brayden Wingo of Jasper, IN and Miranda Perdue of Dallas, TX.

Harold played guard on the Brocton High School team in Illinois. He attended University of Illinois as a four year Scholarship Contest Winner and graduated with a degree in Pre-Med. After graduating, he went in the Army as a Lieutenant, and served his country with honor for four years, three years in the South Pacific. After his discharge, he met and married Eloise. After his discharge, he went to medical school to fulfill his love and passion for healing and graduated in May, 1953 as an Osteopathic Physician from Kirksville Medical School. After graduation, he moved to Evansville to start his practice in 1953 and continued to practice for 46 years until he retired in June of 1999.

Harold had the honor of being the first D.O. on the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital. He was a passionate physician, who never refused services to those who couldn’t pay him. He was a lifelong learner, reading every day up to about a year ago. He was constantly looking for new treatment options and ideas to help sick people. He was the first doctor in Evansville to test for allergies, do acupuncture, and weight loss. He swore by taking a daily dose of Cayenne Pepper, Garlic and Vitamin C.

Harold was an active member of the East Side Kiwanis Club, and an avid Aces fan who held season tickets for over 40 years. He and Art Adye could certainly yell at the referees for any call they thought was a bad call. He was an active member of The American Osteopathic Association, was past state President for three years, and never missed an AOA state convention for 50 years. He was honored by the state AOA for this accomplishment. He received the Kinsinger Plaque by the Indiana Osteopathic Physicians in 189 for being the outstanding doctor of the year.

He was a proud father. Sharon and Ruth were told we were special because we were chosen.. we are blood sisters and had been adopted together. He taught his daughters to be good Christians, the meaning of perseverance, hard work, (do the job right the first time!), being kind and helpful to others, and having a big, loving heart. We always knew when we were in trouble as he always started his lectures with, Now Dearie…”

Dad was proud of all his grandchildren and often said he was so lucky to have 5 grand children who were all special in their own unique way: John helped mom and dad by staying with them for a while, ran errands for him, and would often fix something that needed fixing (even when it really didn’t need to be fixed). John never left his grandpa’s side in his final days; Nikki for getting her doctorate degree and he enjoyed calling her Dr. and was happy to read her published dissertation; Joe for working his way through USI and receiving his Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Business and Management. Joe gave numerous hours taking care of his business on a day to day business as his POA for over 6 years and Joe was always the peace maker of the family; Thomas for getting his degree in International Business, and continuing his education to obtain his Master’s Degree; D.J. for often helping without being asked, packing up the condo at Lake Barkley and especially his visits bringing Jordan and Brayden.

Dad’s face would light up when his children, grand children and great grandchildren would visit. He always met them with a big smile, open arms and a big hug; and never ended a visit without saying, “I love you and thank you for coming to see me.”

Mom and dad enjoyed taking trips with their life long friends whether it was a cruise, a trip to their condo in Branson or their condo at Lake Barkley; playing bridge or eating out. Even though some of their friends have passed on we want to share thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Art Adye, Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Collier, Mr. & Mrs. John Newman, Mr. & Mrs. James Kendall, Mr. & Mrs. Jack VanStone, Mr. & Mrs. Ted Hitch, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Katterhenry, Mr. & Mrs. Norb Woolley, Mr. & Mrs. Phil Kinsey, Dr. & Mrs. Dwight Cooper, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Julian, Helen Hortin, Liz Mueth, Leola Ahrens, Dr. Parvin Raibley, Euleah Wilson, Don Cassidy, and Dan Wageman for moving them 9 times!!!!

Dad always made sure to see extended family from Toledo, Greenup, and Charleston Illinois He enjoyed talking with his cousin Harry R. Sparks, Winnona, Nancy, Brenda, Linda, George, and thanks to Alice Kay for always planning our family reunions.

The family would like to thank Diane Butcher and Mary Krohn for their loving, compassionate and selfless care for 5 years; Brauns Nursing Home for his care for almost a year, (he wanted to make sure Shantay never forgot him), Bridget Howard, a nurse who worked for him during his practice who became like a daughter to him; St. Mary’s staff and nurses who showed compassion and love to ensure his last days were comfortable; Dr. Neuring, Dr. Pugh, Dr. Smith, Dr. Alampati, Dr. Schultz, and a big thanks to Dr. Stutes who Harold always looked forward to seeing each day while in the hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Marian University of Indianapolis, which is the first Osteopathic Medical College in Indiana, or to Operation Smile which he and Eloise were long time supporters of.