Everett Lester Sparks

Everett Lester Sparks, 76, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, formerly of Jennings, lost his battle with Lewy Body Disease and went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 13, 2006, in the Southern Oaks Care Center, Pawnee, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 16, 2006 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with C. L. Pratt officiating. Interment will follow at the Jennings Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Lester was born on November 18, 1929 in Pawnee County, Oklahoma to James (Jim) T. Sparks and Mamie (Jones) Sparks. He married Donita Caldwell on August 4, 1956 in Liberal, Kansas. It was a true treasure to Lester to have been able to mark their 49th wedding anniversary this past August. He was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Jennings, where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher and song leader.

Lester attended school in Terlton, Oklahoma; in the eight grade he left school to help work in the fields with his family. In his late teens he worked in the pipeline industry and at age twenty-one joined the Naval Air Force and served his country from 1951 - 1955. He worked in the oilfield before moving his wife and soon to be first child to Leadville, Colorado to work for Molly Mine in Climax, Colorado. After returning to Jennings, Oklahoma, Lester drove a truck for a rock quarry company for several years, as well as owning and operating Sparks Worm Farm and raising cattle and pigs. He always said he was ahead of his time with the worms because Keystone Lake had not yet been built. He worked for Brady Oilfield Company, operating heavy equipment until starting Sparks Backhoe Service in 1972. He started out with one backhoe and one truck and built his business into a large oilfield construction company. Lester retired in 1985. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with his family and grandchildren; he was proud of each of their accomplishments.

Lester enjoyed traveling and considered it a hobby. One of his favorite trips was to Israel and Egypt, where he followed the path that Jesus had walked. He loved the Lord and read his bible frequently. He was affiliated with the Baptist Builders Association and worked on numerous churches in the area including the Terlton Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Cleveland. His love for Jesus Christ was evident in his daily life as he shared this love by helping people; he never met a stranger. He always kept his word and expected the same form others. He always had a smile on his face, had a joke to tell and found the best in people. Lester always wanted to be a good neighbor and touched many lives in a positive way throughout his life and will be missed by all who knew him.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Jim and Mamie Sparks, one infant brother and brothers, Clarence, Clyde, Glen, Kenneth and Dale, as well as a son-in-law, Mike Hendrickson.

He is survived by his wife, Donita of the home and three children, Debbie Skinner and husband, Lester of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Brenda Hendrickson of Ripley, Oklahoma and Jeff Sparks and wife, Kay of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Chelsea Hendrickson of Ripley, Oklahoma, Nick and Jason Sparks of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; one great-grandson, Aidan Sparks of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; two sisters, Minnie B. Vantrees of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Joan and Jerry Brady of Jennings, Oklahoma; two brothers, Doug and Jean Sparks of Terlton, Oklahoma and Joe Sparks of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express its gratitude to Judith Karman Hospice for their gracious service, kindness and caring. Their constant support was invaluable during Lester's illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Judith Karman Hospice, P. O. Box 818, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076.