George Chadwick Sparks, 61, of Tampa, FL formerly of Riverview, passed away Monday, April 20, 2009 at James A. Haley VA Nursing Home.
Born in Orlando, FL on June 16, 1947, he’s resided in several cities throughout Central Florida. In his youth, he was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts. He attended Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga before joining the Air Force during the Vietnam War earning the rank of Airman First Class. He enjoyed art and music. He was active in Youth for Christ in Orlando and served as a counselor at Word of Life in New York.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Lawrence Sparks and father, William (Chad)wick Sparks. Survivors include his mother, Annabel "A.C." Sparks of Holly Springs, NC; two brothers, John M. of Safety Harbor, FL and Roger W. of Luverne, MN; and his sister, Mary "Lorraine" Cameron of Holly Springs, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 4:30 PM on Friday, April 24th at Lakeside Community Chapel, 1893 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 441-1714. Military Honors will be presented by MacDill Air Force Base Honor Guard. A reception will follow. Interment will be at Bay Pines National Cemetery, Bay Pines, FL.
George was a blessing to know. As his brother-in-law George always treated me as a member of his family and a friend in Christ. George will truly be missed here but I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.
George was my oldest brother, 9 years older than I. I have memories of him doing art work; practicing for his piano, organ and voice lessons; singing and leading singing at Youth for Christ; becoming an Eagle Scout; playing Monopoly with his friends, or sometimes with us younger brothers and sister; going to Word of Life Camp in New York and staying as a counselor for young boys; praying with me to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior; going away to Tennessee Temple College; helping me make rigging for a ship model of the Golden Hind; showing me how to build balsa wood gliders; joining the Air Force during the Vietnam War; having a mental breakdown and having to be medically discharged; renting an airplane and pilot and taking me up in a Cessna over Orlando, and seeing
Shamu at Sea World; taking me to Malibu Race Track to ride really fast go carts; taking me for a ride in his MG Bullet; going out for Pizza together many times…