Sam was born on Christmas Eve, 1928 in Alabama. He passed from this life four days after his 83rd birthday in Harlingen, Texas, at the hospital where he was a board member. His family moved to Santa Rosa, Texas when Sam was two years old where they were always involved in farming.
As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming for himself in 1945 at age 16 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to obtain his first tractor, purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident!
He married the love of his life in 1948 and they were the first couple to be married in the new building of the Church of Christ at 8th and Harrison in Harlingen. Together they raised four children.
Sam served his community in many ways:. He was a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District, president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club, served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas, etc. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, was chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project and served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto and served on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board and was a Mason. He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and Royce Money, President Emeritus, spoke at the memorial service. He was also a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus, including donated funds for one of the new cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh. He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of America, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people that he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
A memorial service was held on December 31, New Year's Eve day, at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen, where Sam attended throughout his adult life, and where he and Seanne were married some 63 years earlier. In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial donations to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Loaves and Fishes Ministry of the Rio Grande Valley or Sunny Glen Children's Home. Nonetheless many flowers graced the memorial service.SANTA ROSA TEXAS - Samuel Robert Sparks was born on Christmas Eve in Halleyville, Alabama in 1928 to Whit and Vera (Smith) Sparks. He passed from this life to life eternal on Wednesday, December 28th at VBMC surrounded by his family.
The family moved to Santa Rosa, Texas when Sam was two years old. As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming in 1945 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to purchase his first tractor. The tractor was purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg! Sam married the love of his life, Seanne Busch, in 1948. They were the first couple to marry in the then new 8th and Harrison Church of Christ. They built the home they still live in today in 1950 and welcomed their first child while moving into their new home. Together they raised four children: Elizabeth, Karen, Bobby and John. Truthfully, Sam made the living while Seanne raised the children.
Sam has served his community and surrounding area in many ways. He has served as a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, was a member to the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District. He was president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club and served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. Sam is listed in the 1965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America, and was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce and was former chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project.
He served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto as well as serving on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board as was a Mason.
He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home. While serving on the Sunny Glen Board he was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus and donated the funds for one of the cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh.
He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of American, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God.
Sam thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather to his ten grandchildren. He delighted in picking them up on Sundays after church and taking them on outings. Every Christmas he would line them up according to age and make them declare, "Papa you know I am a good-un!" before letting them pass on into the living room and the tree. He took the oldest grandsons fishing in Alaska one summer and the granddaughters on a white water rafting trip of the Salmon River. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Seanne, and their children and spouses: Elizabeth (Alan) Johnson, Karen (Mark) Guenther, Bobby (Judy) Sparks, John (Melissa) Sparks. His grandchildren: Jon Koonce, Brian Koonce, Summer (Brandt) Carter, Samantha (Wayne) Allen, Samuel Robert III (Shannon) Sparks, Jennifer (Jimmy) Wilson, Brooke (Ryan) Newman, Christopher (Laura) Sparks and Sable Sparks. He also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren the youngest born on December 27th of this year. He is also survived by his sister Ella Katherine (Eddie) May and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and one grandson, Josh.
Sam is well known throughout the valley for his numerous acts of kindness, one of the latest being opening his home to a missionary family whose motor home burned at the bridge parking lot while they were shopping in Mexico. Those who knew Sam well will all agree that God's first words to him upon his arrival to Heaven, were, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Memorial services: Saturday, December 31, 2011, 2 p.m., at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen with Jake Vincent officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607, the Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, 514 South E. Street, Harlingen, TX 78550 or the Sunny Glen Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586.
Published in The Monitor on December 30, 2011
As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming for himself in 1945 at age 16 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to obtain his first tractor, purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident!
He married the love of his life in 1948 and they were the first couple to be married in the new building of the Church of Christ at 8th and Harrison in Harlingen. Together they raised four children.
Sam served his community in many ways:. He was a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District, president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club, served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas, etc. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, was chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project and served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto and served on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board and was a Mason. He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and Royce Money, President Emeritus, spoke at the memorial service. He was also a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus, including donated funds for one of the new cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh. He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of America, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people that he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
A memorial service was held on December 31, New Year's Eve day, at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen, where Sam attended throughout his adult life, and where he and Seanne were married some 63 years earlier. In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial donations to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Loaves and Fishes Ministry of the Rio Grande Valley or Sunny Glen Children's Home. Nonetheless many flowers graced the memorial service.SANTA ROSA TEXAS - Samuel Robert Sparks was born on Christmas Eve in Halleyville, Alabama in 1928 to Whit and Vera (Smith) Sparks. He passed from this life to life eternal on Wednesday, December 28th at VBMC surrounded by his family.
The family moved to Santa Rosa, Texas when Sam was two years old. As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming in 1945 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to purchase his first tractor. The tractor was purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg! Sam married the love of his life, Seanne Busch, in 1948. They were the first couple to marry in the then new 8th and Harrison Church of Christ. They built the home they still live in today in 1950 and welcomed their first child while moving into their new home. Together they raised four children: Elizabeth, Karen, Bobby and John. Truthfully, Sam made the living while Seanne raised the children.
Sam has served his community and surrounding area in many ways. He has served as a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, was a member to the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District. He was president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club and served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. Sam is listed in the 1965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America, and was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce and was former chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project.
He served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto as well as serving on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board as was a Mason.
He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home. While serving on the Sunny Glen Board he was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus and donated the funds for one of the cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh.
He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of American, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God.
Sam thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather to his ten grandchildren. He delighted in picking them up on Sundays after church and taking them on outings. Every Christmas he would line them up according to age and make them declare, "Papa you know I am a good-un!" before letting them pass on into the living room and the tree. He took the oldest grandsons fishing in Alaska one summer and the granddaughters on a white water rafting trip of the Salmon River. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Seanne, and their children and spouses: Elizabeth (Alan) Johnson, Karen (Mark) Guenther, Bobby (Judy) Sparks, John (Melissa) Sparks. His grandchildren: Jon Koonce, Brian Koonce, Summer (Brandt) Carter, Samantha (Wayne) Allen, Samuel Robert III (Shannon) Sparks, Jennifer (Jimmy) Wilson, Brooke (Ryan) Newman, Christopher (Laura) Sparks and Sable Sparks. He also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren the youngest born on December 27th of this year. He is also survived by his sister Ella Katherine (Eddie) May and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and one grandson, Josh.
Sam is well known throughout the valley for his numerous acts of kindness, one of the latest being opening his home to a missionary family whose motor home burned at the bridge parking lot while they were shopping in Mexico. Those who knew Sam well will all agree that God's first words to him upon his arrival to Heaven, were, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Memorial services: Saturday, December 31, 2011, 2 p.m., at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen with Jake Vincent officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607, the Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, 514 South E. Street, Harlingen, TX 78550 or the Sunny Glen Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586.
Published in The Monitor on December 30, 2011
Sam was born on Christmas Eve, 1928 in Alabama. He passed from this life four days after his 83rd birthday in Harlingen, Texas, at the hospital where he was a board member. His family moved to Santa Rosa, Texas when Sam was two years old where they were always involved in farming.
As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming for himself in 1945 at age 16 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to obtain his first tractor, purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident!
He married the love of his life in 1948 and they were the first couple to be married in the new building of the Church of Christ at 8th and Harrison in Harlingen. Together they raised four children.
Sam served his community in many ways:. He was a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District, president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club, served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas, etc. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, was chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project and served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto and served on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board and was a Mason. He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and Royce Money, President Emeritus, spoke at the memorial service. He was also a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus, including donated funds for one of the new cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh. He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of America, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people that he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
A memorial service was held on December 31, New Year's Eve day, at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen, where Sam attended throughout his adult life, and where he and Seanne were married some 63 years earlier. In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial donations to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Loaves and Fishes Ministry of the Rio Grande Valley or Sunny Glen Children's Home. Nonetheless many flowers graced the memorial service.SANTA ROSA TEXAS - Samuel Robert Sparks was born on Christmas Eve in Halleyville, Alabama in 1928 to Whit and Vera (Smith) Sparks. He passed from this life to life eternal on Wednesday, December 28th at VBMC surrounded by his family.
The family moved to Santa Rosa, Texas when Sam was two years old. As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming in 1945 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to purchase his first tractor. The tractor was purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg! Sam married the love of his life, Seanne Busch, in 1948. They were the first couple to marry in the then new 8th and Harrison Church of Christ. They built the home they still live in today in 1950 and welcomed their first child while moving into their new home. Together they raised four children: Elizabeth, Karen, Bobby and John. Truthfully, Sam made the living while Seanne raised the children.
Sam has served his community and surrounding area in many ways. He has served as a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, was a member to the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District. He was president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club and served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. Sam is listed in the 1965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America, and was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce and was former chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project.
He served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto as well as serving on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board as was a Mason.
He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home. While serving on the Sunny Glen Board he was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus and donated the funds for one of the cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh.
He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of American, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God.
Sam thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather to his ten grandchildren. He delighted in picking them up on Sundays after church and taking them on outings. Every Christmas he would line them up according to age and make them declare, "Papa you know I am a good-un!" before letting them pass on into the living room and the tree. He took the oldest grandsons fishing in Alaska one summer and the granddaughters on a white water rafting trip of the Salmon River. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Seanne, and their children and spouses: Elizabeth (Alan) Johnson, Karen (Mark) Guenther, Bobby (Judy) Sparks, John (Melissa) Sparks. His grandchildren: Jon Koonce, Brian Koonce, Summer (Brandt) Carter, Samantha (Wayne) Allen, Samuel Robert III (Shannon) Sparks, Jennifer (Jimmy) Wilson, Brooke (Ryan) Newman, Christopher (Laura) Sparks and Sable Sparks. He also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren the youngest born on December 27th of this year. He is also survived by his sister Ella Katherine (Eddie) May and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and one grandson, Josh.
Sam is well known throughout the valley for his numerous acts of kindness, one of the latest being opening his home to a missionary family whose motor home burned at the bridge parking lot while they were shopping in Mexico. Those who knew Sam well will all agree that God's first words to him upon his arrival to Heaven, were, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Memorial services: Saturday, December 31, 2011, 2 p.m., at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen with Jake Vincent officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607, the Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, 514 South E. Street, Harlingen, TX 78550 or the Sunny Glen Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586.
Published in The Monitor on December 30, 2011
As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming for himself in 1945 at age 16 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to obtain his first tractor, purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident!
He married the love of his life in 1948 and they were the first couple to be married in the new building of the Church of Christ at 8th and Harrison in Harlingen. Together they raised four children.
Sam served his community in many ways:. He was a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District, president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club, served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas, etc. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, was chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project and served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto and served on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board and was a Mason. He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and Royce Money, President Emeritus, spoke at the memorial service. He was also a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus, including donated funds for one of the new cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh. He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of America, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people that he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
A memorial service was held on December 31, New Year's Eve day, at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen, where Sam attended throughout his adult life, and where he and Seanne were married some 63 years earlier. In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial donations to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Loaves and Fishes Ministry of the Rio Grande Valley or Sunny Glen Children's Home. Nonetheless many flowers graced the memorial service.SANTA ROSA TEXAS - Samuel Robert Sparks was born on Christmas Eve in Halleyville, Alabama in 1928 to Whit and Vera (Smith) Sparks. He passed from this life to life eternal on Wednesday, December 28th at VBMC surrounded by his family.
The family moved to Santa Rosa, Texas when Sam was two years old. As a young boy Sam hitch-hiked to Alabama in the summertime to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. (His older brother lied about Sam's age in order for him to obtain the job.) Sam began farming in 1945 and a "lucky break" in 1947 allowed him to purchase his first tractor. The tractor was purchased with insurance money he received after actually breaking his leg! Sam married the love of his life, Seanne Busch, in 1948. They were the first couple to marry in the then new 8th and Harrison Church of Christ. They built the home they still live in today in 1950 and welcomed their first child while moving into their new home. Together they raised four children: Elizabeth, Karen, Bobby and John. Truthfully, Sam made the living while Seanne raised the children.
Sam has served his community and surrounding area in many ways. He has served as a director of the Valley Farm Bureau, was a member to the Board of Directors of Valley Acres Irrigation District. He was president of the Santa Rosa Kiwanis Club and served on the Santa Rosa ISD School Board. Sam is listed in the 1965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America, and was runner up for the Outstanding Young Farmer of Texas. He served as Chairman of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce and was former chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Texas A & M University System "Target 2002" project.
He served as a director of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as well as being a director of First National Bank of Harlingen. He served as chairman of Rio Farms, Inc. of Monte Alto as well as serving on the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers board and the Texas Vegetable Seed Improvement Association. He served on the Salvation Army board as was a Mason.
He served on the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center Board and was an Advisory Trustee of Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University and a trustee for Sunny Glen Children's Home. While serving on the Sunny Glen Board he was instrumental in the rebuilding of the entire campus and donated the funds for one of the cottages in memory of his grandson, Josh.
He was a strong advocate for the Boy Scouts of American, and was awarded their prestigious Silver Beaver award in 2000. He was President and CEO of the Progresso Bridge and enjoyed many hours there waving people he knew through the toll gates. In fact, he worked at his Bridge until five days before his death. He was a faithful member of the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ and truly a man of God.
Sam thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather to his ten grandchildren. He delighted in picking them up on Sundays after church and taking them on outings. Every Christmas he would line them up according to age and make them declare, "Papa you know I am a good-un!" before letting them pass on into the living room and the tree. He took the oldest grandsons fishing in Alaska one summer and the granddaughters on a white water rafting trip of the Salmon River. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful memories and love.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Seanne, and their children and spouses: Elizabeth (Alan) Johnson, Karen (Mark) Guenther, Bobby (Judy) Sparks, John (Melissa) Sparks. His grandchildren: Jon Koonce, Brian Koonce, Summer (Brandt) Carter, Samantha (Wayne) Allen, Samuel Robert III (Shannon) Sparks, Jennifer (Jimmy) Wilson, Brooke (Ryan) Newman, Christopher (Laura) Sparks and Sable Sparks. He also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren the youngest born on December 27th of this year. He is also survived by his sister Ella Katherine (Eddie) May and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and one grandson, Josh.
Sam is well known throughout the valley for his numerous acts of kindness, one of the latest being opening his home to a missionary family whose motor home burned at the bridge parking lot while they were shopping in Mexico. Those who knew Sam well will all agree that God's first words to him upon his arrival to Heaven, were, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Memorial services: Saturday, December 31, 2011, 2 p.m., at the 8th and Harrison Church of Christ in Harlingen with Jake Vincent officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607, the Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, 514 South E. Street, Harlingen, TX 78550 or the Sunny Glen Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586.
Published in The Monitor on December 30, 2011
Inscription
SPARKS, SAMUEL ROBERT
DECEMBER 24, 1928 DECEMBER 28, 2011
BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER PAPA AND FRIEND
TRUE CHRISTIANS
HE PRACTICED RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
[Wife's name and birth date]
BELOVED WIFE MOTHER GRAM AND FRIEND
SHE WAS HIS SWEETHEART OF POMELO ROAD
Family Members
Half Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
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