Merrell Dean Sparks

Merrell Dean Sparks, 92, of Clifton, TX, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Merrell was born on February 4, 1924 in the Norse Community to Jim and Ida (Grimland) Sparks. He was the Seventh of nine children. The funeral service will be Friday, June 17, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Clifton with Pastor Jerry Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Boggy Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening at Clifton Funeral Home.

Merrell quit school and went into the army in 1942 where he served with distinction in the Pacific Theatre until his honorable discharge from the Army in 1945. He married Syble Florence Wallace on October 4, 1946 and to this union were born three girls. He accepted Jesus as his savior while living in Pampa, Texas, and was baptized in the
Central Baptist Church. In 1953 he brought his family back to Clifton where he worked for Pat Olson. He then went to work for Phillip Petroleum in McGregor and retired from there under the name of Hercules after 33 years. He would go to work at McGregor and come home to work on the farm, a task he dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wilbur, Burton, James, Roscoe, and Owen (Buddy), and sisters, Gertrude Gaustad and Jewel Finstad. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Syble Wallace Sparks: daughters, Diane Hamilton and husband, Joe of Oglesby, Texas, Sharon Nelson and husband, Keith of Crawford, Texas, and Linda
Morton and husband, Bob of Clifton, Texas; eight Grandchildren and their spouses, Rebecca and Scott Schultz, Rachel and Bryan Lacina, Cybil and James Humphreys, Laura and Jason Schmidt, Joel and Candice Hamilton, Wade and Lindsey Morton, Adam and Kristen Hamilton, and Andrew and Cindy Hamilton. He is also survived by 21 Great
Grandchildren: Travis, Jake, Logan, Brayden, Bodee, Trey, Hannah, Cameron, Jase, Gunner, Kate, Carson, Josie, Addison, Sidney, Collin, Noah, Ellie, Avery, JoeJoe, and Brook, one sister, Ima Joyce Sorley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons.

Thank you to his sweet caregivers, Patsy, Sherry, and Norma for their love and care. Thanks to the wonderful people with Providence Hospice, the nurses, aides, volunteers, and all the staff. We will never forget your kindness.