Dallas Wendell Sparks

A lifelong patriot found permanent peace on the proud anniversary of America’s Independence. Chief Master Sergeant Dallas Wendall Sparks, USAF Retired, died peacefully at his home in Mansfield, Texas on July 4, 2020.

Chief Sparks was born in Jackson, Mississippi on November 4, 1926 to Georgia McCrory Sparks and Jim W. Sparks. Growing up a child of a schoolteacher and principal in a small southern town in the 20’s and 30’s, Dallas embraced routines, rules and accountability of community. He had an innate talent for history and geography, which served him well for the rest of his life.

Immediately upon graduating high-school, Mr. Sparks enlisted into the Army with his older brother, Mason Sparks. Dallas trained and deployed to the Pacific Front of World War II. After the war, having found his passion and love of country, he re-enlisted in service, but this time, to the newly formed United States Air Force (est. 9.18.1947). For more than 22 years thereafter, Chief Sparks proudly served the USAF and his country. Following combat tour of duty in Korea, he served in Alabama, England, California, New Mexico, Texas, Washington D.C. and Okinawa— a place he and his young family fell in love with during his first 2 year tour, so much so that after returning to the mainland, they accepted a return placement on the island. During his service, he obtained numerous medals and recognition, including medals for his heroic acts in the Korean war, service in an occupied territory, service to the United Nations, exceptional organization performance and his extended overseas tours. He rose to the highest rank attainable by an enlisted Airman before his retirement—Chief Master Sergeant, a position less than 1% of enlisted serviceman achieve.

On October 7, 1949, he married the love of his life, Nita Ruth Sparks, and they had two children, Nancy Lynn and Terrie Lee. Ruth and Dallas surprised both of their families, leaving Mississippi and travelling the world with their two young girls, but that tough decision shaped and gave strength to their close love for one another and for their country. During his years in the service, Chief Sparks and Ruth enjoyed dancing and live music at the base club on weekends, collecting and sharing music, playing cards and hosting family and friends.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1969, Dallas settled his family in Arlington, Texas, where he began his second career at the LTV/ Vought-Heritage plant. At LTV, Mr. Sparks continued working with and for the military, this time as a civilian, building missiles and aircraft for the USAF and Navy during the Cold War. He proudly held confidential his years of work on the ultrasecret black project, F-117 Nighthawk, even from his beloved Nita Ruth and including the reason for his multiple trips to California, until after its public reveal in 1988. Chief Sparks retired for the second time in May of 1990. In 1995, they purchased and moved-in to their dream home in nearby Mansfield, Texas.

Once retired, Dallas and Nita Ruth spent even more time enjoying each other’s company and with family and friends. He loved golfing, and he and Ruth traveled often to play and enjoy their community in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. He loved doing his own yard work, including climbing and cutting his own trees (against Ruth’s protest), and was an avid mall walker and Cowboy fan. His lifelong love for music and history and playing cards made him a formidable trivia, Pinochle, Spades and Gin Rummy opponent. Chief Sparks remained interested in national and geo-political affairs until his death and challenged his children and grandchildren to do the same through continuous education and debate. Dallas and Ruth were married 60 enchanting years until her death on November 14, 2009.

He is survived by his children, Dallas W. Sparks, Jr. (Carol) in Beaumont, Texas, Nancy Lynn Sparks Cimino (Vince) in Farmington, New Mexico and Terrie Lee Sparks Tallon (Robert) in Mansfield, Texas; grandchildren Jeff Sparks, Lisa Walls, Alison Cimino, Phillip “Bo” Hutson, Tara Tallon Whitting, Brandon Hutson, Tracy Tallon and Ross Tallon; and 19 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brother Mason and sister, Dorothy Sparks Lackey.

The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at Moore Funeral Home- Bowen Chapel, with visitation from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The Interment will follow on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 10 am at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Those wishing to honor Dallas may send memorials to the Thanks USA organization in his name at www.thanksusa.org.

The family wishes also to honor the Mansfield Police and Fire Departments for their overwhelming grace and compassion on July 4th, 2020. The officers handling our case were not only professional and efficient, but genuinely interested and caring of the life that had passed and his family. We will forever remember the comfort you provided us and the honor you showed him.