James “Jim” C. Sparks, 68 of Hiawatha, KS passed away Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas with his family by his side.  

Jim was born April 12, 1949 in Lawrence, KS the son of LeRoy James Sparks and Marjorie (Weeks) Sparks. Jim graduated from Whiting High School in 1967. He has lived in the Hiawatha community since 1989.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Era aboard the battleship Destroyer. Jim worked as security supervisor for Casino White Cloud, retiring in 2012. He enjoyed carpentry work, reading western novels and spending time with his family and friends.

Jim was married to Carol A. Garrison on December 9, 1976 in Hiawatha, KS. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his children Brian W. Sparks of Hiawatha, KS, Amanda M. Bottom (Derek) of Soldier, KS and James M. Sparks (Nancy) of Horton, KS; his sister, Ann Meyers (Randy) of Tampa, FL; his brother, Vernon J. “Joe” Sparks of Oskaloosa, KS; 9 grandchildren, Riann, James L.R. Sparks, Andrew, Clairissa, Evan, Danny, James, Dante, and Raelynn and a great-granddaughter, LayLa. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lewis A. “Sonny” Sparks.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, KS with military honors to follow. He will lie in state at the funeral home where the family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Inurnment in McLouth Cemetery will take place at a later date. Memorials made to the James Sparks Memorial Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com