I have been unable to locate a death record for John. He is last found in the 1920 US Census living with his wife in Torrent Ky. There is a death index for another J Sparks in Letcher County Ky with the death date of November 20, 1920, but this is another person. There are also several military records listed for John in some of the family trees, but these are for different John Spark's as well.

1850 US Census
Name: John Sparks
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 15
Birth Year: abt 1835
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1850: Morgan, Kentucky, USA
Occupation: Laborer
Industry: Industry Not Reported
Attended School: Yes
Line Number: 13
Dwelling Number: 877
Family Number: 877
Household Members Age
James Sparks
40
Tempa Sparks
40
John Sparks 15
Phebe Sparks
13
Charlott Sparks
11
Nancy Sparks
9
Ephraim Sparks
7
Cordela Sparks
5

1870 US Census
Name: John J Sparks
Age in 1870: 34
Birth Date: abt 1836
Birthplace: Kentucky
Dwelling Number: 42
Home in 1870: Precinct 4, Wolfe, Kentucky
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hazel Green
Occupation: Farmer
Male Citizen Over 21: Yes
Personal Estate Value: 265
Real Estate Value: 300
Household Members Age
John J Sparks 34
Tamer J Sparks
32
John W Sparks
12
Fielding Sparks
10
Sarah E Sparks
8
Charlotte Sparks
6
General M Sparks
4
Emaline Sparks
11/12

Marriage record information
Name John Sparks
Marriage Age 22
Birth Date abt 1833
Birth Place Owsley
Residence Date Abt 1855
Residence Place Owsley
Marriage Date 16 Dec 1855
Marriage Place Kentucky, USA
Marriage Registration Date 1855
Marriage Registration Place Morgan, Kentucky, USA
Spouse Name
Laura Tolston

1880 US Census
Name: John Sparks
Age: 46
Birth Date: Abt 1834
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1880: Precinct 4, Wolfe, Kentucky, USA
Dwelling Number: 19
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Tamer J. Sparks
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer

Household Members Age Relationship
John Sparks 46 Self (Head)
Tamer J. Sparks
46 Wife
Jeheldon Sparks
20 Son
Sarah Sparks
18 Daughter
Marion Sparks
14 Son
Evline Sparks
12 Daughter
Josephine Sparks
10 Daughter
Jasper N. Sparks
5 Son
Newton Sparks
5 Son
John W. Sparks
23 Son

1920 US Census
Name John Sparks
Age 86
Birth Year abt 1834
Birthplace Kentucky
Home in 1920 Torrent, Wolfe, Kentucky
Residence Date 1920
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse's Name Tamar Sparks
Father's Birthplace Virginia
Mother's Birthplace Virginia
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation None
Home Owned or Rented Rented
Attended School No
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Neighbors
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
John Sparks 86 Head
Tamar Sparks
86 Wife