Rev. Richard Weldon Sparks

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Rev. Richard Weldon Sparks was born to Jimmie and Nell Sparks, Sept. 15, 1930 in Palestine, Texas, passed away March 28, 2020 after a short illness.

He is survived by his children Richard Weldon Sparks Jr. and wife Judi, Sherry Aten and husband Kurt and Terry Head and husband Don; grandchildren Destiny Olson and husband Mick, Blake Weldon Sparks, Chelsea Coy and husband Stephen, Zachary Head and wife Paige, Skyler Head, Donnie Head and Dina Head; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson and brother Jimmie Sparks and wife Alice. He is also survived by his best friend and partner in crime Jess Callaway.

Richard was raised in East Texas and was called into the ministry at age 19. He claimed to have been born in 1930 and born again in 1940. He attended Baylor University, married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Davis, whom he cherished until his death, while pastoring in Texas. He pastored in Palestine, Waco, Taylor, Milano, Gonzales, Edcouch-Elsa, Bloomington, Moulton and was an interim pastor in Shiner, Yoakum and Flatonia. Whenever area churches needed assistance, he was willing to supply and fill their pulpit.

His service spanned more than 70 years spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He cared for people’s souls and worked in organizing outdoor Crusades. He was a supporter of youth work and worked as summer youth and boys camp pastor. He opened and revitalized missions in Edcouch-Elsa and supported other mission work by funding both foreign and domestic outreaches. He loved how church community created family and gave his life serving the Church, as well as the Southern Baptist Association.

He was a gifted storyteller, a lifelong gardener, cattle farmer, businessman and a kind and decent landlord. He looked for opportunities to help and lived a life of doing for others. He and his daughter, Terry, worked hand in hand in life over the past 20 years and they enjoyed their precious gardening together. He prided himself by taking the fruits of his garden to share with his church family.

He was loved by many and represented the term “Faithful Servant of God”. He never lost his faith and prayed each day for his family, the sick and his country. We will miss those prayers but believe he fulfilled his calling in his 89 years and has entered into the joy of the Lord.

We are grateful to Gonzales Hospital ER and EMS and to Southwest General Hospital ICU San Antonio for attending him with compassion, care and comfort.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorials can be sent to Eastside Baptist Church Missions Fund, Gonzales, Texas, and words of comfort to www.eastsidebaptistchurch.com

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