SAMUEL (SAM) A. SPARKS
CAPT. US NAVY RETIRED
1922-2009
Sam Sparks, 86, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2009. Sam was a native of New Mexico and enlisted in the Navy in 1942 where he was commissioned as a Naval Aviator. He served in numerous squadrons, participated in World War II, a world cruise and the Bay of Pigs. Over his 31 year Naval career, he flew over 50 types of aircraft, served as Air Group Commander and earned many distinguished awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sam moved to Pensacola in 1967 for a tour of duty at NAS Pensacola and went on to serve as Commanding Officer of Saufley Field before retiring in 1972.
While in retirement he managed his rental property and became very involved in the community and served on many governmental and community boards, including President of Suburban West Rotary Club where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for dedicated service to the community. He lived his life by the "Rotary Four Way Test."
Sam is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Beverly, her children Michelle (Abe) Flowers, Kenny (Lisa) Small and Kevin (Lindsey) Small, and his former wife Irene Crane and their children Ginny (Joe) Coleman, Bruce (Claire) Sparks, and Sparkie (Tom) Folkers. He will also be greatly missed by twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He will be remembered for his patriotism, generosity, service to the community and country, his sense of humor and for the love he showed to his family.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2:00 PM at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens, W. Nine Mile Rd, with visitation from 1:00-2:00.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 7/25/2009
CAPT. US NAVY RETIRED
1922-2009
Sam Sparks, 86, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2009. Sam was a native of New Mexico and enlisted in the Navy in 1942 where he was commissioned as a Naval Aviator. He served in numerous squadrons, participated in World War II, a world cruise and the Bay of Pigs. Over his 31 year Naval career, he flew over 50 types of aircraft, served as Air Group Commander and earned many distinguished awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sam moved to Pensacola in 1967 for a tour of duty at NAS Pensacola and went on to serve as Commanding Officer of Saufley Field before retiring in 1972.
While in retirement he managed his rental property and became very involved in the community and served on many governmental and community boards, including President of Suburban West Rotary Club where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for dedicated service to the community. He lived his life by the "Rotary Four Way Test."
Sam is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Beverly, her children Michelle (Abe) Flowers, Kenny (Lisa) Small and Kevin (Lindsey) Small, and his former wife Irene Crane and their children Ginny (Joe) Coleman, Bruce (Claire) Sparks, and Sparkie (Tom) Folkers. He will also be greatly missed by twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He will be remembered for his patriotism, generosity, service to the community and country, his sense of humor and for the love he showed to his family.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2:00 PM at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens, W. Nine Mile Rd, with visitation from 1:00-2:00.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 7/25/2009
SAMUEL (SAM) A. SPARKS
CAPT. US NAVY RETIRED
1922-2009
Sam Sparks, 86, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2009. Sam was a native of New Mexico and enlisted in the Navy in 1942 where he was commissioned as a Naval Aviator. He served in numerous squadrons, participated in World War II, a world cruise and the Bay of Pigs. Over his 31 year Naval career, he flew over 50 types of aircraft, served as Air Group Commander and earned many distinguished awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sam moved to Pensacola in 1967 for a tour of duty at NAS Pensacola and went on to serve as Commanding Officer of Saufley Field before retiring in 1972.
While in retirement he managed his rental property and became very involved in the community and served on many governmental and community boards, including President of Suburban West Rotary Club where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for dedicated service to the community. He lived his life by the "Rotary Four Way Test."
Sam is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Beverly, her children Michelle (Abe) Flowers, Kenny (Lisa) Small and Kevin (Lindsey) Small, and his former wife Irene Crane and their children Ginny (Joe) Coleman, Bruce (Claire) Sparks, and Sparkie (Tom) Folkers. He will also be greatly missed by twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He will be remembered for his patriotism, generosity, service to the community and country, his sense of humor and for the love he showed to his family.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2:00 PM at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens, W. Nine Mile Rd, with visitation from 1:00-2:00.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 7/25/2009
CAPT. US NAVY RETIRED
1922-2009
Sam Sparks, 86, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2009. Sam was a native of New Mexico and enlisted in the Navy in 1942 where he was commissioned as a Naval Aviator. He served in numerous squadrons, participated in World War II, a world cruise and the Bay of Pigs. Over his 31 year Naval career, he flew over 50 types of aircraft, served as Air Group Commander and earned many distinguished awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sam moved to Pensacola in 1967 for a tour of duty at NAS Pensacola and went on to serve as Commanding Officer of Saufley Field before retiring in 1972.
While in retirement he managed his rental property and became very involved in the community and served on many governmental and community boards, including President of Suburban West Rotary Club where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for dedicated service to the community. He lived his life by the "Rotary Four Way Test."
Sam is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Beverly, her children Michelle (Abe) Flowers, Kenny (Lisa) Small and Kevin (Lindsey) Small, and his former wife Irene Crane and their children Ginny (Joe) Coleman, Bruce (Claire) Sparks, and Sparkie (Tom) Folkers. He will also be greatly missed by twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He will be remembered for his patriotism, generosity, service to the community and country, his sense of humor and for the love he showed to his family.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2:00 PM at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens, W. Nine Mile Rd, with visitation from 1:00-2:00.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 7/25/2009
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