Gerald Everett (Jerry) Sparks, age 91, of Salina, Oklahoma, passed from this life during the early morning hours on April, 12, 2018. Gerald spent his life looking forward to meeting his Lord and Savior.
Gerald was born on December 22, 1926 to John G. and Esther R. (Sisemore) Sparks in Elmore City, Oklahoma. He spent his early school years in Elmore City and later graduated from Norman High School in 1944. Jerry then joined the Army Air Corps and was placed in training at New Mexico A&M College. When the war ended, he continued his service in the Army Reserves, but came back to join his family in Oklahoma.
He married the love of his life, Wilma (Rosie) Hunter on November 6, 1948, they were blessed with 3 children and shared 65 years of marriage before the passing of Wilma in 2014.
In 1950 Jerry was called back to serve during the Korean War. He loved his country and remained proud of his service.
Although Jerry’s large collection of gospel records, 8 track tapes, cassette tapes, and cd’s showed his decades of love for Christian music, AND ESPECIALLY SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTETS, an all- time favorite was “The Old Rugged Cross”, it made no difference who sang this song, or their style, he always sang along.
Jerry was a mail carrier for 36 years with service in Oklahoma City, Rosston, and Waynoka, Oklahoma. After his retirement from the post office he worked for a short time in the oil field. In 1983 he began working as a bus mechanic, route driver, and activity bus driver for Turpin Public Schools. He always bragged that his favorite job was transporting Kindergarten students.
In 1995, he and Wilma moved to Cedar Vale, Kansas, where he worked with his son, Dr. Dave Sparks, DVM, in the cattle business for 7 years.
Jerry loved to dance and was especially good at the jitterbug, Square Dancing, Round Dancing, and the Two Step. He loved fishing and camping with family and friends and remained an avid fisherman through his 90th summer.
In his later years, Gerald continued his lifelong love of reading and visited his local library often. He loved all kinds of books, but he had a special interest in Shakespeare’s Sonnetts
In 2012 Gerald moved to Salina, Oklahoma. Jerry loved spending time with his friends at Senior Citizens and he never missed a televised St. Louis Cardinal baseball game or an OU Football game. He was a member of the Salina Methodist Church and rarely missed a Sunday worship.

He was preceded in death by his:
Parents;
His loving wife Wilma Rose;
Son, Dr. David Sparks, DVM;
Brothers, Edgar L. Sparks, Truitt C. Sparks, and Wylie L. Sparks;
As well as his special pen pal and friend, Sharon Baumann.

He leaves behind his loving family:
Brother, Kenneth and his wife Jeanette, of Tuttle, Oklahoma;
Son, Don and his wife, Pam, of Denver, Colorado;
Daughter, Carole and her husband, Tony, of Salina, Oklahoma;
Foster son, Steve Benson, of Rowland Heights, California;
Daughter-in-law, Linda Sparks, of Porum, Oklahoma;
Granddaughter, Jane Drake and her husband, Matt;
Grandson, Matt Sparks and his wife, Wendi;
Granddaughter, Becky Stealer and her husband, Mike;
Grandson, Chris Benson, and his wife, Melanie;
Grandson, Dr. Rob Benson;
Grandson, James Baumann;
Great Grandchildren, Jordan, Hannah, Pake, and Emma Sparks, Braxton and Drake Stealer, and Molly and Courtney Benson;
As well as many nieces and nephews;
He also leaves behind five very special friends, Bud Gee, Joe Brown, Patricia Bird, and Jim and Beverly Goyer;
Many more loving family and friends.

Memorial Service for Gerald Sparks will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Vondel L. Smith Mortuary South Colonial Chapel (6934 S. Western Avenue).

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