JOHN WILLIAM SPARKS

John William Sparks, 57, of Hurdland, Missouri, passed away at his home southwest of Hurdland, Missouri.

John was born on July 6, 1963, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Sam Ellis and Jennie Sue Jacoby Sparks.

He attended Knox County High School, graduating in the Class of 1981. He attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri before earning his Master’s degree in Biology and Chemistry in Kansas City. He attended law school in Ohio where he earned a Juris Doctorate Degree. He worked for a time as a lawyer and later was a chemist at a laboratory.

John returned to the family farm two years ago and enjoyed reading and researching on the computer.

He is survived by his brother, George Henry Sparks of Hurdland, Missouri; a nieces and a nephew, Colton Sparks of Sue City, Iowa and Rebecca and Eric Crawford of Hurdland, Missouri; two great nephews, Jeremiah Roger Crawford and Archer Lee Crawford; several cousins and a host of friends.

John was preceded by his parents, Sam Sparks on October 18, 1982 and Jennie Sparks on May 13, 2008.

John’s wishes were to be cremated and the family will hold private family services at a later date.

An expression of sympathy in memory of John Sparks may be left to the I.O.O.F. Cemetery Association. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.