SP4 US ARMY VIETNAM
David Wendell Sparks Sr., 68, of Olympia, WA passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
He was born in Duluth, MN on October 12, 1946 to Wendell and Mabel (Neisinger) Sparks. David grew up in the Robbinsdale suburb of Minneapolis, MN, where he graduated from Robbinsdale Senior High School in 1964.
In April 1966, David joined the United States Army and served for 3 years, in which 11 months was served overseas in the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman Medal M14, and 2 Overseas Bars. David was honorably discharged in 1969 at Fort Lewis, WA, achieving the rank of Specialist E-4.
David held many different jobs over the years but some of his most memorable was his time at Charlie's Trailer Sales, driving tow trucks for Westside Towing, and owning and operating AC Fencing from his kitchen table from the mid 1990's to early 2000's.
His creative thinking and passion for constructing something out of nothing led to several remodels of vehicles to better suit his needs and tastes, the interior and exterior of his home, the construction of a garage, greenhouse, multipurpose barn which housed his beloved cow “Baby Girl” and several litters of pigs, and finally the enclosed bbq area that became the hub of all gatherings known as “The Pit”.
David is survived by his partner of 44 years Mary Ann Stuart; son David (Michelle) Sparks Jr.; daughters Suzetta (Travis Nelson) Griffith and Jaime (Brandon Hanson) Sparks; grandsons Dustin Pfau, Aaron Pfau, Jonathan Sifferman and Lyndon Harshman; granddaughters Barbara Bennett, Samantha Bennett, Jacqueline Sifferman, Mabel Michalak, Betty Michalak, and Randi Harshman; great-granddaughters Lilly Bennett and Aurea Pfau; as well as many beloved friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his father Wendell Sparks; mother Mabel (Neisinger) Longabaugh; and his step-father Gerald Longabaugh.
A memorial marker is set to be placed at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA in recognition for his service to his country.
David Wendell Sparks Sr., 68, of Olympia, WA passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
He was born in Duluth, MN on October 12, 1946 to Wendell and Mabel (Neisinger) Sparks. David grew up in the Robbinsdale suburb of Minneapolis, MN, where he graduated from Robbinsdale Senior High School in 1964.
In April 1966, David joined the United States Army and served for 3 years, in which 11 months was served overseas in the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman Medal M14, and 2 Overseas Bars. David was honorably discharged in 1969 at Fort Lewis, WA, achieving the rank of Specialist E-4.
David held many different jobs over the years but some of his most memorable was his time at Charlie's Trailer Sales, driving tow trucks for Westside Towing, and owning and operating AC Fencing from his kitchen table from the mid 1990's to early 2000's.
His creative thinking and passion for constructing something out of nothing led to several remodels of vehicles to better suit his needs and tastes, the interior and exterior of his home, the construction of a garage, greenhouse, multipurpose barn which housed his beloved cow “Baby Girl” and several litters of pigs, and finally the enclosed bbq area that became the hub of all gatherings known as “The Pit”.
David is survived by his partner of 44 years Mary Ann Stuart; son David (Michelle) Sparks Jr.; daughters Suzetta (Travis Nelson) Griffith and Jaime (Brandon Hanson) Sparks; grandsons Dustin Pfau, Aaron Pfau, Jonathan Sifferman and Lyndon Harshman; granddaughters Barbara Bennett, Samantha Bennett, Jacqueline Sifferman, Mabel Michalak, Betty Michalak, and Randi Harshman; great-granddaughters Lilly Bennett and Aurea Pfau; as well as many beloved friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his father Wendell Sparks; mother Mabel (Neisinger) Longabaugh; and his step-father Gerald Longabaugh.
A memorial marker is set to be placed at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA in recognition for his service to his country.
SP4 US ARMY VIETNAM
David Wendell Sparks Sr., 68, of Olympia, WA passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
He was born in Duluth, MN on October 12, 1946 to Wendell and Mabel (Neisinger) Sparks. David grew up in the Robbinsdale suburb of Minneapolis, MN, where he graduated from Robbinsdale Senior High School in 1964.
In April 1966, David joined the United States Army and served for 3 years, in which 11 months was served overseas in the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman Medal M14, and 2 Overseas Bars. David was honorably discharged in 1969 at Fort Lewis, WA, achieving the rank of Specialist E-4.
David held many different jobs over the years but some of his most memorable was his time at Charlie's Trailer Sales, driving tow trucks for Westside Towing, and owning and operating AC Fencing from his kitchen table from the mid 1990's to early 2000's.
His creative thinking and passion for constructing something out of nothing led to several remodels of vehicles to better suit his needs and tastes, the interior and exterior of his home, the construction of a garage, greenhouse, multipurpose barn which housed his beloved cow “Baby Girl” and several litters of pigs, and finally the enclosed bbq area that became the hub of all gatherings known as “The Pit”.
David is survived by his partner of 44 years Mary Ann Stuart; son David (Michelle) Sparks Jr.; daughters Suzetta (Travis Nelson) Griffith and Jaime (Brandon Hanson) Sparks; grandsons Dustin Pfau, Aaron Pfau, Jonathan Sifferman and Lyndon Harshman; granddaughters Barbara Bennett, Samantha Bennett, Jacqueline Sifferman, Mabel Michalak, Betty Michalak, and Randi Harshman; great-granddaughters Lilly Bennett and Aurea Pfau; as well as many beloved friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his father Wendell Sparks; mother Mabel (Neisinger) Longabaugh; and his step-father Gerald Longabaugh.
A memorial marker is set to be placed at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA in recognition for his service to his country.
David Wendell Sparks Sr., 68, of Olympia, WA passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
He was born in Duluth, MN on October 12, 1946 to Wendell and Mabel (Neisinger) Sparks. David grew up in the Robbinsdale suburb of Minneapolis, MN, where he graduated from Robbinsdale Senior High School in 1964.
In April 1966, David joined the United States Army and served for 3 years, in which 11 months was served overseas in the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman Medal M14, and 2 Overseas Bars. David was honorably discharged in 1969 at Fort Lewis, WA, achieving the rank of Specialist E-4.
David held many different jobs over the years but some of his most memorable was his time at Charlie's Trailer Sales, driving tow trucks for Westside Towing, and owning and operating AC Fencing from his kitchen table from the mid 1990's to early 2000's.
His creative thinking and passion for constructing something out of nothing led to several remodels of vehicles to better suit his needs and tastes, the interior and exterior of his home, the construction of a garage, greenhouse, multipurpose barn which housed his beloved cow “Baby Girl” and several litters of pigs, and finally the enclosed bbq area that became the hub of all gatherings known as “The Pit”.
David is survived by his partner of 44 years Mary Ann Stuart; son David (Michelle) Sparks Jr.; daughters Suzetta (Travis Nelson) Griffith and Jaime (Brandon Hanson) Sparks; grandsons Dustin Pfau, Aaron Pfau, Jonathan Sifferman and Lyndon Harshman; granddaughters Barbara Bennett, Samantha Bennett, Jacqueline Sifferman, Mabel Michalak, Betty Michalak, and Randi Harshman; great-granddaughters Lilly Bennett and Aurea Pfau; as well as many beloved friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his father Wendell Sparks; mother Mabel (Neisinger) Longabaugh; and his step-father Gerald Longabaugh.
A memorial marker is set to be placed at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA in recognition for his service to his country.
