Ralph Sparks

Ralph Leon Sparks, of Kingsville, TX passed away December 26, 2022, at the age of 90. Ralph was born to Province and Ernestine Sparks on October 14, 1932, in Atoka, OK. He graduated from Atoka High School in 1951. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy that same year and served 20 years as a commissary man at various duty stations ranging from the Aleutian Islands to various ships at sea during both the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring from his last duty station at Kingsville Naval Air station in 1971. Ralph then went to work at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX in 1974, and retired from there in 1994. He was married to Maria Albesa Gonzalez on March 29, 1969, until her passing on December 18, 1974.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Province and Ernestine Sparks; his brothers, Clifford L. Sparks and Dale Eugene Sparks; his sister, Linda Faye Sparks; his wife, Maria Albesa Sparks; and his niece Amy Lynn Sparks.

He is survived by his brother, Lester David Sparks; brother, Harry Andrew Sparks and sister-in-law Karen; brother, Curtis Ray Sparks and sister-in-law, Anna; nephew, Bryan Sparks, and nieces Lisa Silvius and Celesta Catcher.

The family will receive condolences at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary; with a chapel service at 12:00 PM. A rite of committal with full military honors will take place at 1:00 PM at Santa Gertrudis cemetery.