Richard I Sparks

Richard I. Sparks was born on October 2, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Richard Wood Sparks and Laura Ester (Blackburn) Sparks. He entered into eternal rest on March 16, 2015. At the age of 15, he was baptized at Kentucky Avenue Baptist Church and eventually made Portland Avenue Baptist Church his lifelong church home. He was an educator for Putnam City Schools for the majority of his life and enjoyed playing chess. Richard loved to square dance and appreciated all kinds of different dance styles. After returning home from serving in the United States Army in World War II, he is remembered for dancing with his mother in the kitchen and showing her all of the latest dance moves. Fond family memories include his tradition of eating watermelon with them during the summer months, as well as his enjoyment in assisting Parks and Recreation. Affectionately named “Pete” by his nephews, he will be missed by all.

Richard is preceded in death by: his parents, Richard Wood Sparks and Laura Ester (Blackburn) Sparks; his sister, Dorothy Tockey; his brother-in-law, Charles Smith; and his two nephews, Ricky and Bobby Joe.

Richard leaves behind children, Brenda Hale and her husband, Royal; Shirlene Tarbox and her husband, Gene; sister, Shirley Smith; special nephew, Charlie Ray Tockey; grandchildren, Elisabeth Hale, Sarah Baker and her husband, Bart, Emily Tarbox, and Stephen Tarbox; great-grandchildren, Sidney Giglio, Anthony Perez, Ben Baker, and Will Baker; and nephews, Melton Smith, Scott Smith, and Todd Smith; and other family and friends. Services will be officiated by Pastor Walter Mullican of Portland Avenue Baptist Church.