Howard Sparks

Howard “Sparky” Sparks, 84, longtime resident of Orange and formerly of Vinton, LA passed away Sunday, October 13, 2013 in Port Arthur at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas.

The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Rob Tibbets of The Crossroads Baptist Church in Vinton and Father Susil Fernando of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vinton. Interment will follow at Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Sulphur.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Sparks, Dennis Sparks, Chris Vice, Kevin Sparks, Chad Sparks and Matt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be Megan Jackson and Kristin Vice.

Born in Montrose, LA on January 16, 1929, Howard was the son of Coleman Stanford and Lettie Belle (Rector) Sparks. He was a mechanic for DuPont and retired after almost 40 years. In his earlier years, Mr. Sparks enjoyed camping, working on cars and riding dirt bikes. He and his wife enjoyed square-dancing and were members of the Merry Mixers of Orange. He also attended Crossroads Baptist Church in Vinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Beverly Tully and great grandson, Garrett Vice.

Mr. Sparks is survived by his wife, Gertrude Sparks and sons, Mike Sparks and wife, Lisa, and Dennis Sparks and Sonya Dugus all of Orange. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chris Vice and wife, Buffy, Megan Jackson and husband, Matt, Kevin Sparks and Chad Sparks; great grandchild, Kristin Vice and sister, Geneva Gilbeaux and husband, Charlie of Houston.