Kenneth Wayne Sparks

Kenneth Wayne Sparks, was born July 16, 1935 in Jennings, Oklahoma. He was the son of James Thomas and Mamie Josephine (Jones) Sparks. Kenneth was raised and attended school in Jennings, graduating from Jennings High School in 1954.

Upon completion of his education, Kenneth moved to Wichita, Kansas where he worked as a welder in a manufacturing plant. Kenneth then returned to Oklahoma and accepted employment with National Tank. He was married to Shirley Dawn Travis in Hallett, Oklahoma and the couple raised two children, Raymond and Charles. During this time, Kenneth was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army.

Upon his honorable discharge, Kenneth again returned to Oklahoma and began working for National Aviation as a welder. In 1967, he accepted employment overseas working as a metal fabricator and welder in Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. While working in Indonesia, Kenneth met and was married to Diana Piri in Jakarta on June 21, 1976. In 1977, the couple moved to Jennings as Kenneth worked for a while for David Frick, and two of his brothers, Doug and Lester. Diana and Kenneth later moved to Yale; they had one son, Robert who now lives in the Los Angeles, California area.

Kenneth later moved to Kansas City where he continued to work in the metal fabrication business until his retirement. He then moved to Tulsa and has resided there until he passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2005 at the age of seventy-years, four months and eleven days. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Clarence, Clyde, Glen and Dale.

While residing in Tulsa, Kenneth has been a member of the Eastwood Baptist Church. Additionally, he was a member of the Blinded Veterans Association.

He is survived by his wife and her son, Diana Sparks of Midwest City, Oklahoma and Robert Polim of Covina, California; two sons, Raymond Carrol Sparks of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Charles Wayne Sparks of Hobart, Indiana; three brothers, Lester Sparks of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Doug Sparks of Jennings, Oklahoma and Joe Sparks of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sisters, Minnie B. Vantrees of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Joan Brady of Jennings, Oklahoma; several grandchildren; and a special and long-time friend, Dovie Crowell of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, December 1, 2005 at the First Assembly of God Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma with Rev. Chip Reynolds officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Jake Sparks, Josh Sparks, Billy Hodson, Greg Sparks, Mick Sparks and Keith Sparks.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Kenneth Wayne Sparks at www.chapman-black.com.