Steve Alan Sparks

Steve Allan Sparks, known as “Sparky,” was born on February 11, 1955, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was the beloved son of Ed and Dixie Sparks, and the twin brother of Scott Aaron, who passed away at birth. Steve grew up alongside his brothers, Gene and Stan (deceased), in a small two-bedroom house near the Conoco plant.

Early Life

From an early age, Steve was full of life and energy. He rode his bike everywhere and had a glove in hand as soon as he could walk. If he wasn’t playing baseball, he was a batboy for his brothers. Trips to A&W after games were a fond memory. His hometown was quiet, safe, and the perfect place to grow up. He deeply admired his father and respected the values instilled in him.

Education and College Years

Steve was the first in his family to attend college. He followed a friend to East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, where he earned a baseball scholarship. Though typically an infielder, he was asked to play outfield—but that didn’t faze him. He worked hard, earned his way into the right positions, and left a mark on the team.

Just one week into his college experience, Steve’s father had a heart attack. True to character, Steve returned home. But true to character, his father urged him to return and not miss his opportunities. So he went back to school. Steve loved the campus life – just hanging out. He loved baseball and he loved his team. His teammates probably remember some of these memories:

 Going to Poncho’s after games, eating a full meal, hanging out for an hour, and then eating again.

 Going to McDonald’s at closing and receiving all the leftover food.

 Playing golf for $1.

You don’t picture Sparky as the center of attention but he couldn’t help it at times because he was one of the few to have AC in his room. And there were those Wednesday care packages from mom with oatmeal cookies he never got to eat. One more fun note. After completing his baseball eligibility, he was named a tennis coach which gave him a scholarship to complete his degree.

Meeting Ada and Faith Journey

In 1973, Ada returned from a summer at Glorieta Baptist Assembly with a mission: to save the entire baseball team. She spotted Steve across the cafeteria and invited him to a Halloween carnival. When he didn’t show, she found him at the chapel. Steve wasn’t trying to avoid her—he simply didn’t know where the girls’ dorm was. Their connection grew quickly. This is the most important part of the story… When Ada asked if he was saved, Steve replied, “I don’t think we have that in the Methodist church.” Ada took him to a Southern Baptist church where he responded to the message. That decision would become a foundation for the rest of Steve’s life.

Remember Steve’s love for baseball? Ada remembers dates spent raking rocks off the field. That’s love.

Marriage and Family

Steve and Ada married on May 24, 1975, in Oakdale, Louisiana. Steve dreamed of a big family—he wanted six kids. They compromised on four and had two: Melisa (1978) and Joey (1982), both born in Garland, Texas. There, they built a home and became deeply involved in their church and community.

Steve had a magic touch with babies. He could calm them instantly—though not with singing (he didn’t sing!). He made life fun, playful, and secure for his kids.

Melisa and Joey remember:

 Dad could make a game out of anything

 There were bouncy balls flying around the house as they try to avoid them

 Home run derby on the side of the house

 Melisa remembers running at her dad and he would swing her and flip her up into a somersault

 He never really showed his anger outwardly. But the kids could tell – it was in his eyes. Like the time Joey reacted badly to his dad’s air attack on his toy soldiers. Or when Melissa tried to literally dig her way to China. Or when she and her friends played “Wilderness girls” in the garage, using everything they could find including dad’s tools.

Later, Steve found new purpose in his grandchildren: Alex, Savannah, Emily, and Will. Each held a special place in his heart, and he was there for them—steadfast and loving in every season of their lives.

Brandy, his daughter-in-law, brought shared sarcasm into the family. It was their thing. She was told early on that when the Cowboys lost, the wrath would fall on her. It was a badge of honor.

Career and Adult Life

Steve graduated in 1978. When a coaching opportunity fell through, he turned to his dad for advice. “Find a Bell company,” his father said. Steve called Southwestern Bell in Dallas and started what would become a 23-year career marked by dependability and excellence.

He did everything with precision—well, almost everything. His coworkers once moved his stapler just a half inch… and yes, he noticed.

In 1994, the family moved to Moore, Oklahoma to be closer to family. They built a home on a lake in 2001, where Steve spent countless evenings outdoors. After early retirement, he explored real estate and insurance.

A stroke in 2006 changed his life, but not his spirit.

They later moved to Texas, just in time to welcome Alex into the world—a new chapter of joy and purpose. Melissa met and married Chace and this weird, wonderful, extended family just seemed to fit together. Living together and taking care of each other at a time when each had needs and the met each others’ needs. The family seemed complete when Will arrived.

Hobbies, Personality, and Legacy

Steve loved sports—except soccer! He didn’t just love sports, he excelled at everything he did! (baseball, softball, basketball, pool, darts, foosball, horseshoes, tennis). But something interesting Joey shared. If Sparky couldn’t be at his best, he’d step away. Joey remembers the last time he played foosball.

But his passion never left. He swung a golf club for as long as he could and rooted for his teams: the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, and Stars. When the Rangers won the World Series, we all thought of Sparky.

More than just sports, he loved watching his grandchildren thrive—in baseball, volleyball, music, or art. He was always their biggest fan.

I’m going to share some things you may not know about Sparky

 He didn’t do “everything” with perfection – He didn’t like working on the house. Once he began painting the house. He painted as high as he could reach. That was it. He never finished. It stayed that way for years.

 He is a closet lover of RomComs. He loved romantic comedies! Forget ESPN…put on the Lifetime Channel!

 He was terrified by sharks! I think he developed this fear by watching too much Shark Week on TV. Kids, this is what happens when you watch too much TV. In fact, I suspect that when others in heaven asked Steve how he died, he’s telling them…”shark attack.”

 Steve was known in the family as Superman. He was quiet and calm but left no doubt that he was the leader. He was the calm in the storm. He was a gentle giant. He was always there. When around him, fears melted away.

 But if Steve was Superman, he also had his kryptonite – “Girtha”

o Does anyone here know about Girtha?

o The only thing I’ll say about Girtha – “If you know, you know.”

Survived By

 Wife: Ada Sparks

 Children: Melisa (and husband Chase), Joey (and wife Brandy)

 Grandchildren: Alex, Savannah, Emily, and Will

 Brother: Gene

 Countless extended family and dear friends

Closing

I’ll close with this. Jesus was asked the most important commandment. He responded: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Steve lived his life that way. He loved God. He loved his neighbor. He loved all of us —deeply and without condition.

We’ll miss you, Sparky. But you can rest now. We’ve got this. We will take care of your family and we will carry your love, laughter, and legacy with us always.