Kenneth Newton Sparks

Funeral services for Kenneth Newton Sparks , 82 of San Marcos will be held at 10 AM Monday, March 12, 2007 at First Baptist Church in the Ford Chapel with the Rev. Mark Newton and Rev. Dewayne Beaty officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family will receive friends Sunday evening, March 11, 2007 from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Kenneth was born on November 2, 1924 in Henderson to Goodman and Otha Sparks. He passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2007 in San Marcos from pneumonia. Kenneth attended schools in Henderson and graduated from Henderson High school in 1942. Joining the U.S. Army Air force on April 23, 1943 he served as a radio operator with 404th Bombardment Squadron flying combat missions out of the Aleutian Islands in the Pacific Theater. Among other achievements while in the Air force he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flights from 27 April 1945 to 23 May 1945. After returning from military service in WWII Ken-neth became a Drivers License Examiner for the Texas Department of Public Safety. He soon met Alma Whitehurst, the love of his life, and they were married June 19, 1949. They lived in Longview and became very active in the creation and development of the First Baptist Church mission, Oakland Heights Baptist Church. He received great satisfaction serving as a lay member and a deacon. Kenneth worked for LeTourneau and Trailmobile before establishing his own production machine shop and plating business in 1963. In 1975 he left his business to pursue other interests working with FBC Norman, OK as Director of Church Properties, and eventually at East Texas Baptist University as the Director of the Physical Plant. In later years Kenneth continued to enjoy many interests including woodworking and selling real estate. He and Alma retired to San Marcos in 2002 and have been active in the First Baptist Church and the local retirement community. Preceded in death by parents Otha and Goodman Sparks, brother Walter Sparks and sister Pebble James. Survived by wife Alma Whitehurst Sparks, daughter Kennie Sparks Neal and husband John Neal, daughter Jo Sparks Salmon and husband Henry Salmon, son Paul Sparks and wife Joy Jackson Sparks. Eight grandchildren, Melissa Neal, Nathan Salmon, Caroline Salmon, Benjamin Sparks, Kent Sparks, Will Sparks, Matthew Sparks, Abby Sparks and sister Marguerite Gamble. Memorials can be made to the FBC San Marcos Building Fund.

Kenneth Newton Sparks

November 2, 1924 - March 8, 2007