David Alan Sparks "Dude"

David Alan Sparks “Dude”, 66, of Wheelersburg, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017 at his home. He was born March 4, 1951 in Maysville, KY, a son of the late John Dempsey and Dorothea Chloe Robinson Sparks Vanderpool.

   David was retired from MarkWest Hydrocarbon in South Shore, KY after 26 years of service as an Operator B. He had also been a foreman at OSCO for 10 years. Dave was a 1969 Portsmouth High School graduate and a 1973 graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed golfing with his brothers Barry and Wayne, fishing with Wayne, astronomy and flower gardening. Wearing #10, he played second base and shortstop for the Ohio University Bobcat baseball team where he played with MLB Hall of Fame member Mike Schmidt. Dave was also drafted by the Oakland A’s. He loved being outside and being active, but most of all, he loved his wife and two girls.

   Surviving is his wife of 35 years, Karen Dingess Sparks, whom he married May 28, 1982 in Minford; two daughters, Stephanie Danielle Thompson and her partner Jamie Fitzpatrick of Wheelersburg and Jessica Nicole (Jason) Priode of Minford; four siblings, Dempsey Gaylord (Fran) Sparks of Beavercreek, Stephen Michael (Laura) Sparks of Chesapeake, VA, Barry Keith (Susie) Sparks of Westerville and Carol Mains of Portsmouth; two grandchildren, C.J. Vogler and Dani Vogler; his brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Ruth Dingess of Wheelersburg; and his beloved poodle, Emmy.

   In addition to his parents, a brother, Arthur Wayne Sparks, also preceded him in death.

   Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. John Gowdy officiating.

   The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services Friday.

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