Max L. Sparks

August 28, 1929 – May 28, 2019

Max L. Sparks of Queen City, Missouri went to be with his beloved Dorothy and their creator on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

Max was born on August 28, 1929 to Rollie and Reta (Martin) Sparks near Graysville, Missouri.  He grew up on his parents' farm attending Graysville school and then attending and graduating from Unionville High School.  His athletic abilities led him to a full scholarship to Missouri State Teacher's College (now Truman State University).  He taught school for 37 years starting at Livonia High School in Livonia, Missouri then Martinstown School in Martinstown, Missouri, then Glenwood School in Glenwood Missouri and teaching most of his career in Queen City High School in Queen City, Missouri which soon became Schuyler R-I.  He taught history and coached basketball, track and baseball.  He molded the lives of the students he taught with love and personal devotion to their futures.  He was loved by his students throughout his teaching career.

After retiring from teaching, he worked as a crop adjuster for Columbia Mutual, working along side his great brotherly friend, Bob Slaughter after sharing the Schuyler coaching years with him.

He married the love of his life, Dorothy Pearson on Christmas Day in 1949 in Lancaster, Missouri.  That devoted union lasted 64 years with him by her side as always when she left this world on January 26, 2014.

To this union, two children were created, Kenny and Jolene.  The great example of Max and Dorothy's devotion was echoed in the marriages of their children.

Max is survived by his son, Kenny Sparks and wife, Carol (Johns) of Greentop, Missouri; his daughter, Jolene and husband, David Sublett of Kirksville, Missouri; his grandchildren, Krissy Ackerson and husband, Scott of Kansas City, Missouri and Cammie Gunnell and husband, Joey of Kansas City, Missouri and  Matt Sublett and his wife, Carol of Kirksville, Missouri; six great grandchildren, Quin and Coen Ackerson, Kelan and Leighton Gunnell, Bly Sublett and Damien Calhoun; one brother, Dean Sparks of Ukiah, California; one sister-in-law, Patsy (Pearson) Beamer and husband, Jim of Owasso, Oklahoma; two nephews, Vance Matheson and Shane Young and one niece, Gayla Wicker.

Preceding Max in death are as follows, his parents, Rollie and Reta Sparks; his wife, Dorothy Sparks; one brother, Hugh Daniel Sparks; one sister, Valee Matheson; his father-in-law, Daff Pearson and mother-in-law, Reta Pearson; three nieces,  Camilla Yeend, Deanna Bennett and Kim Martin; and two nephews, Gary Matheson and Tim Upton.

Max was of Christian faith being baptized along with Dorothy in Battlefield, Missouri in April of 1998.

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Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser, Pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith in Lancaster, Missouri officiating.  Music will be "The Lord's Prayer" prerecorded by Jolene Sublett.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial services from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.  Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Cancer Relief Fund or Schuyler County Nursing Home.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.