Ronald Phillip Sparks was born on 12 July 1938 in Erwin, Unicoi Co., TN; son of Ralph Morgan and Julia (Bailey) Sparks of Unicoi County. He married Melinda Jane Jennings, daughter of
Oscar Mann Jennings and
Jane Alta Weaver, on 27 January 1962 in Unicoi Co., TN; ceremony by Rev. Donald E. Kribbs, M.G. Ronald Phillip Sparks died on 28 November 2021 in Knoxville, Knox Co., TN,
Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):
Ronald (Ron) Phillip Sparks, age 83, went to his heavenly home on November 28, 2021.
Ron was born to Ralph, Sr and Julia (Bailey) Sparks in Erwin, Tennessee where he lived most of his life. Ron married Melinda Jennings in 1962 and they raised two sons Kevin and Gary Sparks. They moved to Knoxville, TN to be near their grandchildren after his retirement.
His career included time working for Clinchfield Railroad, Hoover Ball, GMF and Aerojet (in Jonesborough, TN). Ron was a Christian and long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Erwin where he served as a Deacon. After moving to Knoxville, he was a member of First Baptist Concord where he enjoyed working on/building sets for VBS and Christmas productions.
He was a loving, compassionate husband, father and grandad. Ron's greatest joy was beach time with his family, golf, Tennessee Vols and NASCAR. During his retirement, he was devoted to spending time with his two grandchildren. He and Melinda were also involved for several years with the Mission of Hope ministry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother (Everette) and one son (Gary).
Ron is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 60 years, Melinda Sparks, their son Kevin (Lori) of Knoxville, TN, grandchildren Chelsea Chrisp (Neil) of Nolensville, TN and Andrew Sparks of Knoxville and sister Carrie Lee (Stanley) Edwards of Erwin, TN, brother Ralph, Jr (Wanda) of Erwin, TN, sister-in-law Donna Sparks of Gainesville, FL, brother-in-law Robert Jennings (Cheryl) of Erwin, TN, sister-in-law Carleen Anderson of Knoxville and his great-grandchildren Emory Chrisp and Nolan Chrisp, many nieces and nephews, and countless life-long friends.
The Interment service will be held on January 29, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Evergreen Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Ron to the Mission of Hope, PO Box 51824, Knoxville, TN 37950 or Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Ron loved knowing that through the activities of these charities, children would not only receive gifts and needed items, but most importantly the message of the hope of Jesus Christ.
Ron will be dearly missed by all those who loved him.
He was buried in December 2021 in Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, Unicoi Co., TN, Findagrave #235917358.