Larry Jim Sparks, 70, passed away peacefully at his home on September 8, 2007. He was born on December 11, 1936 in Spearman, Texas to James and Lometa Sparks. He spent his childhood in Perryton and Spearman where he met his life love, Ann. Larry Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas, and received his MA from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, where he loved to spend his spare time fishing.
Larry married Patricia Ann Vaughn (Ann) in 1956 and they had two children, Robert James and Lee Ann.
Larry’s life-long career as a Band and Choir Director touched many lives. Many of his students have gone on to become professional musicians and teachers.
Mr. Sparks taught from 1959 to 1975 in Memphis TX, Gruver TX, Sundown TX, Hobart OK, and Denver City TX. He then moved to Canyon Lake where he maintained his residence for the rest of his life. His first position in this area was with Comal ISD in New Braunfels TX, serving as music teacher at Mountain Valley School from 1975-1976 and opening Smithson Valley High School as its first Band Director from 1976-1985. Larry then began working for SAISD in San Antonio, serving as Band Director for Fox Tech High School from 1986-1987 and finishing his career at Thomas A. Edison High School from 1987-1996. He then joined Ann in retirement.
Larry was an active member of several organizations including the Masonic Lodge, the Lion’s Club, Texas Bandmaster’s Association and Texas Music Educator’s Association. He made many close friends over the years and influenced many lives. He was particularly known for his incredible ability to tell fascinating stories to anyone that would listen. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Sparks, his parents, James and Lometa Sparks of Spearman TX, and his brother, Jerry Sparks of Amarillo TX.
He is survived by his brother, Evan Sparks of San Antonio, his niece, Abbie Wisdom of Witchita KS, his children, Robert James Sparks and wife Jean of Plano TX, and Lee Ann Steeves and husband Greg of Canyon Lake, and six grandchildren, Thomas, Sarah and Mary Sparks, Stuart and Erin Olsen, and Karli Steeves.
Details for a memorial service will be announced here in the near future.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Lion’s Club in lieu of flowers.
Larry Sparks, 1982
Larry Sparks, 1966
Ann and Larry
c. 1999
Fuzzy Face
c. 1980
Larry Sparks
c. 1959
Ann and Larry
c. 195__ ?
Baby Larry
c. 1938
Smithson Valley High School Band
c. 1982
7 comments:
I am so sorry for your loss!
Find comfort in family and friends during this time of need, and remember that he is no longer suffering; he has moved on to a better place.
Our thoughts are with you and your family.
I never met your father but I felt like I knew him through our many conversations over the past couple of years. Take comfort in the knowledege that he is now with the love of his life, your mother. You have many friends that are thinking of you and your family right now.
Lin
I've known Larry Jim all of my life, having been in the Spearman HS Band with him and later working with and for him as a clinician, adjudicator, friend and have used him in similar capacities in my service to the UIL Music Region that I'm responsible for.
He changed my life...introducing me to ELIZA on the old TRSDos RadioShack computer... and got me addicted to computing.
We've spent many a night at his home (with his kids even there) playing cards and getting ready for the Smithson Valley Band Festival and swapping "lies" about the world of band directing.
As LeeAnn stated...his life was for "kids" (his own and anyone elses) and helping them in ways that are untold and the results was always POSITIVE.
He will be missed!
A friend,
Larry D. Kingsley
Gainesville, Texas
I was so sorry to hear about Larry's passing. He was a great guy and I loved listening to his Tall Tales. Its been a tough year for the Sparks family. I think Larry, Jerry and James are making all kids of music in Heaven while Lometa paints their picture. Hugs to you all.
Shelley (Jerry's wife)
My most sincere condolences. I did not know Larry, but I helped his brother Jerry through the last three years of his life with similar ailments. He was one of my best friends. Lometa was a very sweet lady. It is sad to see another of the Sparks family pass on. I have no doubt they are making beautiful music together. Again, my condolences. May he rest in peace. May his family be comforted.
-Dale Stanton
I first met Larry in Durango, Co. in the summer of 1961 while fishing the Gunnison river. He helped me land an 18" brown trout which we ate that night. We spent the rest of the summer hanging out, fishing, and getting to know each other. His Ann and my Patrecia managed to cook a great fresh caught mountain trout dinner in the shade of a few pine trees in the forest at Long Lake. We almost managed to destroy a forest! After that, We visited at Larry and Ann's home in Gruver and they in our home in Canyon and later in lubbock. We made several bass fishing trips to the Leedy,Ok, area wherin Larry taught me the fine art of tube and worm (and beer) fishing. I will always remember Larry Jim,and his imagnative spirit, his inherent goodness and his love of his family.I am really missing one of this generation's really good guys!
I miss Granddaddy sooo much!!!
This is Erin and i have found this website search Grannie and Granddad.
Granddad really was fun to be around my whole life and I will never forget him. I would go to visit him almost every day.
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