Douglas Sparks

Doug Sparks was born on July 6th 1942. He is the youngest of three, born in Puyallup to Carl and Doris Sparks. After graduating from Puyallup high school in 1960, he worked in the auto parts industry, then joined the Navy in 1962; served 2 years active duty in West Pacific, West-Pac. He and his wife Judie were married in Aug 1962, and are the parents of three sons-Greg, Steve & Brian. He was in the naval reserve for an additional 4 years. While in the reserves, he attended Bates Technical College for the Machinist trade, then soon after moved into the Electrical trade, where he worked through Local IBEW 76 (Tacoma, WA) commercial trade for 34 years. He retired in 2000. Some of his favorite hobbies were fishing, crafting street rods (he built 3), designing & building all kinds of functional & artistic creations. He was a cofounder of the Roadsters NW Car Club out of the Pacific Northwest in the mid 60's. In 2008, Doug & Judie moved to Sun City, AZ spending time with their two grandsons camping, traveling, and teaching them the ways of life. It did not take Doug long to join another local car club in Arizona. One of his favorite past times was "bench racing" with his many gear-head friends. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, September 18, 2016. However, when he left us, he was doing what he loved the most: working in his shop on car projects with one of his closest friends. Doug was considered a life MacGyver; who, when presented with any challenge: personal, mechanical or otherwise, knew exactly what was needed & how to help. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Doris Sparks; several aunts & uncles, brother-in-law, Roger Plante, sister-in-law Carol England, & nephew by marriage, Jimmy England. He is survived by Judie, his wife of 54 years; sons Greg (Rhonda), Steve (Jeri), Brian (Lori); grandsons Caden & Austin; brother Clayton Sparks (Mary Ellen), sister Carolyn Plante, uncle Don Sparks, brother-in-law, Jim England, sister-in-law, Wendy Peterson; nieces, Sheri, Teri (Todd) Cindy (Roy), Cathy (Brian), Christy (Marcos), Deborah, Victoria (Stephen), Heather, Kelsey; nephew, Jeff (Nicole), several cousins, great nieces & nephews, & extended family through marriage. Remembrances may be made to your favorite charity.