Joe Truman Sparks, age 69, of Plano, Texas, passed away February 6, 2015. He was born on May 8, 1945 in Athens, Texas, to Thomas Newton and Annie Katherine (Hanson) Sparks. During the Vietnam War, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served two years in Da Nang. Joe married Olevia Woodard on August 30, 1969 in Dallas, Texas. Joe graduated from Texas A&M at Commerce with a BS in Physics. He taught high school for several years. In 1973, he changed careers and worked for Fisk Telephone Company installing equipment, later working for Centel Business Systems. Joe started Inter-Connect Communication Corporation of Dallas with two partners later selling to Inter-Tel. He retired as a Vice President of Inter-Tel Communication Company. Joe joined as a partner with Mercury Communication Services. Later, he and Olevia started Smooth Transitions, a business helping seniors downsize. He loved helping people and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in the foster care system. In 2013, he was awarded CASA Volunteer of the Year because of his outstanding dedication and accomplishments. Joe was a member of Grace Outreach Center in Plano. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, canoeing, dove hunting, walking on the beach, flying kites and spending time at his lake house. He loved music and played the bass in rock and roll bands in the 60’s. Always active and vibrant, even ALS couldn’t take his spirit, sense of humor and smile.
He is survived by his wife, Olevia Sparks of Plano, Texas; daughter, Ashley Sparks Rideout and husband Adam of Dunedin, Florida; son, Aaron Woodard Sparks of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Tristan and Skyler Rideout of Dunedin, Florida; brothers, Jimmie Sparks and wife Sue of Alvin, Texas, Jerry Sparks and wife Lorene of Tucson, Arizona; and his in-laws Dale Woodard, Angie and Cameron Neal, Bruce and Tammy Woodard, and Pam and Preston Jones; along with many other loving family members and friends.
A memorial service honoring and celebrating Joe’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas, with Pastor Ray Hill officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to: Casa of Collin County, 101 East Davis Street, McKinney, Texas 75069, (972) 529-2272, www.casaofcollincounty.org or ALS TDI, 300 Technology Square, Suite 400, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, (617)441-7204, www.als.net.