Obituaries

Rev. Roy Sparks

Photo of Rev. Roy Sparks
Rev. Roy G. Sparks, 93, of California, Mo., passed away on Friday, August 13, 2010, at California Care Center. He was born on March 20, 1917, in Princeton, Mo., the son of Asa V. and Maude (George) Sparks, both of whom preceded him in death. He was married on May 16, 1942, in Princeton, Mo. to Arlene McKinney, who survives of California, Mo. He attended Princeton High School and Hannibal-LaGrange College. Rev. Sparks was a Southern Baptist minister, serving in many Baptist churches in Missouri, including Farley, Pleasant Ridge, Zion, Ravanna, Brimson, Green Ridge, Huntsdale, Mt. Moriah, Salem, and Pisgah. He received recognition from the Missouri State Legislature for over 50 years of ministry, and was a member of Salem Baptist Church. He also served as Mayor, a member of the City Council, and Chief of Police in California, Mo., and was a dispatcher for Moniteau County. He drove a school bus for three different school districts, as well as driving for the Sheltered Workshop. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge #183, as well as Royal Arch, and Kiwanis Club. He delivered Meals-on-Wheels for many years. Rev. Sparks is survived by two sons, Gary Sparks and wife Marilyn of Tyler, Texas, and David Sparks and wife Debbie of California, Mo.; one daughter, Patricia Edwards and husband Larry of Bixby, Okla.; one brother, Winton Sparks of Princeton, Mo.; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California, Mo. Burial will be in California Masonic Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Greg Morrow. Visitation was held Monday, August 16, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to either Salem Baptist Church or California Care Center Residents' Fund, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.

Published August 16, 2010