Walter Stephen Sparks, 73, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Tuesday morning, Feb. 15, 2022, in Tyler, TX. He was born on July 29, 1948, in Nacogdoches, TX to the late Frank Mathis and Novie Mae Lewis Sparks. He attended school in the Concord Community and Mt. Enterprise, TX in Rusk County and later attended Kilgore College. Walter served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam and was honorably discharged. He worked at Texas Eastman for 10 years and then enjoyed a 45 year career as a car dealer with Ford Motor Co., and was currently employed at Excel Ford in Carthage. Walter married Vicky Lorraine Knabenshue on Dec. 3, 1982, in Longview, TX. He loved to work and passed that trait down to his children. Walter enjoyed youth sports, especially watching his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Walter Scott Sparks and great-grandchild, Kristopher Kiptyn Sparks.

He is survived by his wife, Vicky Sparks; children, Nicky Sparks Young and husband Morgan, Tripp Griffin and wife Katriana, and Matt Sparks and wife Abby; siblings, Brenda Sparks Bradbery and Frank Maxie Sparks; grandchildren, Michael Sparks and wife Kaylee, Colton Scott Sparks, Tyler Sparks, Jordan Snyder, Rowdy Young, Brodie Young, Alex Griffin, Marshall Sparks, Maddox Sparks, Ellasyn Griffin, Miles Sparks, and Matilda Sparks; great-grandchildren, Stetson, Journey, Roxie, and Steely; mother-in-law, Margaret Knabenshue; brothers-in-law, Robert Knabenshue and wife Sherry, Jimmy Knabenshue and wife Willie, Rick Knabenshue and wife Dawn, and Kenneth Knabenshue and wife Celeste; sister-in-law, Julie Wilson and husband Bill; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Buddy Briggs and Bro. Randy Miller officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at County Line Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Michael Sparks, Tyler Sparks, Marshall Sparks, Alex Griffin, Rowdy Young, Brodie Young, Roger Davidson, and Shane Colston. Honorary pallbearers are Maddox Sparks and Miles Sparks.

Memorials may be made to County Line Cemetery, c/o Brad Griffin, 3260 U.S. Hwy. 79 S., Carthage, TX 75633 or Panola County Dixie Youth Baseball Assn., P.O. Box 182, Carthage, TX 75633

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.

Click on the video below to view Mr. Sparks' Funeral Service