Donald Sparks, 87, of Martinsburg, passed away June 28, 2019, at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia. Donald lived in California for many years, and recently relocated to Martinsburg to live with family.
Donald was born August 11, 1931, in Odenville, Alabama, to Louis Agnew Sparks and Willie Kate Mize. He had four siblings: Alfred, twin sister Dot, Jonathan, and Billie Sue.
At the age of 15, Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Of course, his career was cut short when his true age was discovered. In 1949, he again enlisted in the military, this time with the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served until 1959 and was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal as well as a three-time recipient of the USMC Good Conduct Medal.
On June 25, 1951, Donald married Lucille Patricia Thompson. Together they raised five children: Ken, Susan, Beverly, Jim and Karin. The family lived in Alabama, North Carolina, Hawaii, Florida and California throughout Donald's military career and after. Together Don and Lucy welcomed and helped raise their many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He later started his own business, a shipping and transporting/logistics firm. After that he began making custom golf clubs, and opened his own shop called Action Golf, first in Florida and then in California. Later in life, when most people retire, Donald continued working managing HUD housing for fellow senior citizens alongside his wife Lucy.
Donald was an avid golf fan, a history buff, a Christian, and a proud veteran. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those of us left behind. His family celebrates in knowing he is reunited with his parents and brother Alfred, his dear wife Lucy, and their children Beverly, Jim, and Ken who preceded them both in death.
Donald was born August 11, 1931, in Odenville, Alabama, to Louis Agnew Sparks and Willie Kate Mize. He had four siblings: Alfred, twin sister Dot, Jonathan, and Billie Sue.
At the age of 15, Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Of course, his career was cut short when his true age was discovered. In 1949, he again enlisted in the military, this time with the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served until 1959 and was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal as well as a three-time recipient of the USMC Good Conduct Medal.
On June 25, 1951, Donald married Lucille Patricia Thompson. Together they raised five children: Ken, Susan, Beverly, Jim and Karin. The family lived in Alabama, North Carolina, Hawaii, Florida and California throughout Donald's military career and after. Together Don and Lucy welcomed and helped raise their many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He later started his own business, a shipping and transporting/logistics firm. After that he began making custom golf clubs, and opened his own shop called Action Golf, first in Florida and then in California. Later in life, when most people retire, Donald continued working managing HUD housing for fellow senior citizens alongside his wife Lucy.
Donald was an avid golf fan, a history buff, a Christian, and a proud veteran. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those of us left behind. His family celebrates in knowing he is reunited with his parents and brother Alfred, his dear wife Lucy, and their children Beverly, Jim, and Ken who preceded them both in death.
Donald Sparks, 87, of Martinsburg, passed away June 28, 2019, at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia. Donald lived in California for many years, and recently relocated to Martinsburg to live with family.
Donald was born August 11, 1931, in Odenville, Alabama, to Louis Agnew Sparks and Willie Kate Mize. He had four siblings: Alfred, twin sister Dot, Jonathan, and Billie Sue.
At the age of 15, Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Of course, his career was cut short when his true age was discovered. In 1949, he again enlisted in the military, this time with the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served until 1959 and was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal as well as a three-time recipient of the USMC Good Conduct Medal.
On June 25, 1951, Donald married Lucille Patricia Thompson. Together they raised five children: Ken, Susan, Beverly, Jim and Karin. The family lived in Alabama, North Carolina, Hawaii, Florida and California throughout Donald's military career and after. Together Don and Lucy welcomed and helped raise their many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He later started his own business, a shipping and transporting/logistics firm. After that he began making custom golf clubs, and opened his own shop called Action Golf, first in Florida and then in California. Later in life, when most people retire, Donald continued working managing HUD housing for fellow senior citizens alongside his wife Lucy.
Donald was an avid golf fan, a history buff, a Christian, and a proud veteran. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those of us left behind. His family celebrates in knowing he is reunited with his parents and brother Alfred, his dear wife Lucy, and their children Beverly, Jim, and Ken who preceded them both in death.
Donald was born August 11, 1931, in Odenville, Alabama, to Louis Agnew Sparks and Willie Kate Mize. He had four siblings: Alfred, twin sister Dot, Jonathan, and Billie Sue.
At the age of 15, Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Of course, his career was cut short when his true age was discovered. In 1949, he again enlisted in the military, this time with the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served until 1959 and was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal as well as a three-time recipient of the USMC Good Conduct Medal.
On June 25, 1951, Donald married Lucille Patricia Thompson. Together they raised five children: Ken, Susan, Beverly, Jim and Karin. The family lived in Alabama, North Carolina, Hawaii, Florida and California throughout Donald's military career and after. Together Don and Lucy welcomed and helped raise their many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He later started his own business, a shipping and transporting/logistics firm. After that he began making custom golf clubs, and opened his own shop called Action Golf, first in Florida and then in California. Later in life, when most people retire, Donald continued working managing HUD housing for fellow senior citizens alongside his wife Lucy.
Donald was an avid golf fan, a history buff, a Christian, and a proud veteran. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those of us left behind. His family celebrates in knowing he is reunited with his parents and brother Alfred, his dear wife Lucy, and their children Beverly, Jim, and Ken who preceded them both in death.
Inscription
CPL
US Marine Corps
Gravesite Details
Interment on July 26, 2019
Family Members
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