John P. Sparks

John P. Sparks, 64, Emporia, died Monday, August 21, 2018 at Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City.

Funeral services will be at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. The service will be conducted by his brother-in-law, Pastor Bob Winters of Salina. Burial will follow in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia.

John was born on January 21, 1954 at Emporia, Kansas, the son of Roy W. and Margaret E. (Rich) Sparks. John married his wife, Marilyn, on October 24, 2001 in Reno, Nevada. She survives of the home.

He is also survived by two stepsons, Lejon Thomas, Manhattan, Kansas, and Jeff Cranson, Pittsburg, Kansas; two stepdaughters, Michelle Pendergnana, Greeley, Colorado, and Shawna Gumfory, Lansing, Michigan; brother, Robert Sparks, and his wife, Regina, Emporia; sisters, Mary Beth Winters, and her husband, Bob, Salina, and Hazel Coleman, Lawrence; seven grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

His parents, and two brothers, Tom and Roy Sparks, died earlier.

As a young man, John worked with his father in the family business, Sparks Sales and Service. He later ran the business for 25 years, and retired 18 years ago. He loved fishing, especially for bass. During his childhood, John attended First Friends Church of Emporia.

The family will receive friends at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Chapel Friday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M.

A memorial has been established for the Emporia Animal Shelter with contributions sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.