Jeff Sparks' Obituary
Jeff Sparks, age 86, of Elkins passed away Saturday May 2, 2026. He was born November 30, 1939 in Uniontown, Arkansas to Thomas B. and Myrtle Unger Sparks.
Jeff loved the Lord and loved watching Shepherds Chapeleveryday.
Jeff was a 1958 graduate of Stilwell High School. Upon graduation, he began to work at Kelly Brothers in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Where he worked for many years he was there until it was bought out by Meeks and worked there for many years as well? While at Meeks he learned to become a skilled cabinet maker, working for Norwood and Ward. Which prompted him to start his own business Sparks Cabinet Shop, which he ran and made many, many beautiful cabinets for many people over the years. He also built houses
Immediately out of high school while he was working at Kelly Brothers, he met the love of his life Fay at Hometown Cafe on May 2, 1959. They were married that following June 30th 1959. Over the last 67 years, they have built a wonderfully big family with lots of love and memories.
Jeff had a deep love for the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He hunted just about everything and was especially known for the many deer he harvested over the years—so many that his family often joked they couldn’t be counted. His passion extended beyond hunting game; he also enjoyed searching for ginseng, morel mushrooms, and arrowheads. His family lovingly teased that his wife was a “hunter’s widow” because of how much time he spent doing what he loved. Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas won’t be the same without his deer meat on the table.
While Jeff loved hunting, his favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren, often teasing them and also picking on the love of his life keeping everyone laughing. He was known for his sense of humor and was always telling jokes and stories, usually followed by his familiar “ha ha ha.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, June Napier and his step son, Michael Schrontenboer; three brothers, Roy Sparks, Jimmie Sparks and Tommie Sparks.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 66 years, Fay Klug Sparks; one daughter, Roxanne Hayes and her husband John “Doc”of Fayetteville; one son, Ricky Sparks and his wife Michelle of Elkins; three sisters, Faye Neal of Fort Smith, Stella Crittenden of Fort Smith and Charlotte Bond of Cedarville; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Visitation will be 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tuesday May 5, 2026 at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Wednesday at Living Faith Church with burial to follow in Brentwood Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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