Robert Allan Sparks, born January 4, 1933, baptized into the Christian faith November 26, 1998, died March 20, 2020.
Dad was the firstborn child of James Melvin Sparks and Annie Gladys Bousfield Sparks. His siblings were Janice Lee Sparks English and Neal Warren Sparks. He was married to Nancy Janet Drummond Sparks for 62 years, ending when Mom died on December 29, 2018. They were the parents to (4) children: Diana Jean Sparks Ossoff, James Allan Sparks, Cindy Ann Sparks and Eric Robert Sparks; and the grandparents of Nathan Colt Ossoff, Forrest Craig Ossoff and Carver Kincaid Ossoff; their father is E Stacy Ossoff.
Dad grew up in Auburndale, MA, began his career, married life and family life in Cleveland (Parma), OH, purchased homes and raised his family in Berea, OH and North Olmsted, OH, and purchased his retirement home in Panama City Beach, FL. It is there that he made his journey home to be with the LORD!
Dad was a wonderful family man who loved taking walks and bike rides on the weekends with his family, taking exciting family vacations in the summer, going to outdoor movie theaters and concerts, picnics in the fall, taking trips to the park, the zoo, Cedar Pointe, Geauga Lake, Greenfield Village and many other fun places as a family. In the Autumn, at the time of Halloween, we had a wonderful family tradition of making our famous "Sparks Family Recipe Donuts", Easter we searched for Easter baskets and Easter eggs (candy) and even our pet, Lassie, joined in on the hunt and Christmas was always filled with love, laughter, gifts, holiday music and great food! These are only a few of our wonderful family memories,
Dad earned his Associate of Science Degree at Newton Junior College, his Bachelor of Science Degree at Northeastern University and his Masters of Science in Mathematics at Cleveland State University.
He began his career at the NACA, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Lewis Research Center, in Cleveland, OH, on July 6, 1955. On October 1, 1958 NACA became part of the NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH. Dad, along with 447 other people became "the original" NASA Lewis Research Center employees. On March 1, 1999 the Center was officially renamed the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. Dad's career spanned 34 years at NACA/NASA before he retired on December 29, 1989. Dad maintained an interest in NASA's progress throughout his retirement, receiving the NASA AeroSpace Frontiers quarterly newsletter and receiving articles from present and former employees who he maintained friendships with throughout his retirement.
Dad and Mom both came to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior during their retirement years. We know that if they were here with us today, they would plead with all of us to search our souls and make sure we are right with GOD. GOD is real and that there is nothing more important in life than to recognize we have all sinned and need GOD’s forgiveness. Without His forgiveness we will be walking away from the greatest gift ever offered to us and an eternal life without Him. GOD gives us a clear path to forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ, His Son, who though sinless, shed his blood, died and rose from the dead to pay for our sin and provide our salvation. GOD asks us to walk on this path, but He also gives us the freedom to choose which path we will take. We make the choice where we will spend eternity! Dad and Mom would tell us that Jesus is coming back soon, so don’t delay. Choose wisely today for you don’t know what tomorrow brings!
The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2020 at the Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 2403 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32405, (850) 763-4694. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm. The funeral service will start at 1:00 pm. All who knew Dad and/or Mom; or any of us children are welcome! Our parents supported the Panama City Rescue Mission, 609 Allen Ave., Panama City, FL 32401, (850) 769-0783. In lieu of flowers donations to the mission would be appreciated.
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