Travis Funeral Chapel

Jerry L. Sparks, age 76 of Springfield, Missouri, went to be with the Lord Friday, November 4, 2016.

Born December 27, 1939 in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Erie and Luria (Davis) Sparks. On May 22, 1958 in Kirksville he was united in marriage to Rowena Zimmerman who survives.

Also surviving is one son, Anthony Sparks of the Philippines; two daughters and sons-in-law, Luena and David Wilson of Fort Worth, Texas and Liza and Mike Blair of Springfield, Missouri; six brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Ema Sparks of Ewing, Missouri, Wiley and Tracy Sparks of Maywood, Missouri, Larry and Janet Sparks of Ewing, Missouri, Riley and Sandra Sparks of Ewing, Missouri, Dr. John and Penny Sparks of Kirksville, Missouri, and Lonnie and Lena Sparks of Ewing, Missouri; four sisters, Barbara Houston of Quincy, Illinois, Nancy Attebery and husband Ronnie of Ewing, Missouri, Becky Staats and husband Tim of Aledo, Texas, and Beverly Mae Shahan and husband Richard of Edina, Missouri; five grandchildren, David and Devin Wilson, Tabitha Mohler, Derek Sparks, and Jazmin Thorsen; and six great grandchildren.

His parents, one brother, Paul Sparks and one sister Betty Staats preceded him in death.

Jerry was a 1957 graduate of Kirksville High School and 1973 graduate of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He served in the United States Navy 1957-1960. He is a member of the Baptist Temple in Springfield, Missouri.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in La Plata, Missouri. Burial with military honors will be at Canaday Cemetery in Adair County.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2016 with the family receiving friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in La Plata, Missouri.

Memorials in memory of Jerry L. Sparks may be made to Baptist Temple in Springfield, Missouri or to Canaday Cemetery. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.