Date Of Birth: November 4, 1945
Date Of Death: December 22, 2007
Warren Robert Sparks, “Bob”, 62, of Indianapolis, passed away Dec. 22, 2007.He was born in Indianapolis in 1945 to Warren and Ellen Sparks.He served his country honorably in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era.Bob was actively involved in The Garden, St. Luke’s UMC, Toastmasters, North Central Alumni Association, and IRIS.He is survived by his sons Evan P. Sparks Daily (wife Erica) of Columbus, Ohio, Adam C. Sparks (fiancée Cheska) of Belleville, MI, John Robert Sparks of Indianapolis, IN, A. Thomas Sparks of Petersburg, IN;Niece, Heather N. Hilbert, of Noblesville, IN;Grandchildren Ariana, Wilton, Timothy and William;Life Companion Judy Tolley of Indianapolis,Brothers John “Jack” Sparks of Dallas, Texas and Richard “Dick” Sparks (wife Connie) of Madison, WI; and sister Kay Evans (husband Steve) of Dallas, TX.He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Tom.A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Dec 28th, at 11 am at Robertson Chapel, St. Luke’s UMC, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260with visitation Thursday from 5 to 8 at the church and one hour prior to the service.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to The Garden, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Jeff A Smith says
Brian C Carey says
I knew Bob through Toastmasters and thought the world of him. He helped me numerous times via Toastmasters as well as with his understanding of computers with my business. He was a great & kind person–I will miss him.
Jim Marty Julien says
Bob,
We are in Kansas for the holidays, and we miss you greatly, even all the way out here. Our sympathy goes out to all who knew you. See you in the wild blue yonder, Air Force buddy.
Bethanie Duncan says
I extend my sincere condolences to the entire Sparks family. In sad times as this we can find strength in God’s promise to reunite us with our loved ones by means of a resurrection and that soon “He will actually swallow up death forever.” – John 5 vs.28,29; Isaiah 25 vs.8 May this precious hope that awaits us and your cherished memories of Bob bring you a measure of comfort in this difficult time.
Larry Gorske says
Bob, it has been many years and I have thought of you often. I remember our friendship when I lived in Indy.
I am sorry you have gone but glad you are with the Lord however, you will not be forgotten and fond memories will abound.
Larry Gorske
Dawn Frick says
This is a mixture of sorrow and joy for me. I sorrow for the loss of a good man’s presence, and rejoice for an adventurous spirit, now free to move on.
Bob was my favorite volunteer at IRIS, when I ran the sound board for the early morning newspaper reading. He was cheerful, clever, encouraging and just downright fun. Since I left IRIS, I have not seen Bob, but thought of him frequently with great fondness. He was, is, someone for whom I have great respect and love. He touched me deeply. I am honored to have known him.
Amber Wortman says
Bob was a volunteer for our organization, IRIS, since 2002. He was certainly one of our favorite volunteers as he always had a smile and a great joke waiting! Below you can find the volunteer spotlight on Bob, which was written in April 2004.
Rise and Shine with Warren Sparks
Brew the coffee and scramble the eggs. Warren Sparks is coming to breakfast!
Just as many of us are pushing the covers off to begin our day, Warren Sparks, much like a handful of our other early rising volunteers, arrives at our TelePlex by 6:00 a.m. to prepare for the early morning reading of the Indianapolis Star newspaper.
A self-employed computer consultant, Warren is known to friends and family as Bob. However, he uses the name Warren on air as a tribute to his fatherÆs memory whom he shared his first name with.
Having been a volunteer for approximately two years now, Warren recalls what brought him to IRIS.
ôA motherÆs friend had a stroke which targeted her occipital lobe. When she found herself unable to do her daily reading, I remembered hearing about a group that read the paper on air. We ordered a radio for her, and after three days of listening, I decided I would return the favor and become a volunteer.”
And what a volunteer he has become! Not only does Warren read the early morning Star on ThursdayÆs, but he is also the voice for the pre-recorded program, the West-Side News.
When asked what he enjoyed most about volunteering, Mr. Sparks insisted it was a combination of things.
He said, ôThe fact that I enjoy reading to someone else, and that there is someone who is out there listening, makes me happy. I also feel good that I am supporting something which needs volunteers.”
Among what he enjoys most about being part of the IRIS team, Warren has made several memories in the time he has been here. First was his audition. ôI had never done anything like that before,” he said. ôTo some degree, it serves as a good test for Toastmasters, in that, you go to the meetings, but can you do this in public?ö
His other memorable moment was the couple of reads he was able to do with another volunteer, Reid Duffy. Warren stated, ôReading with Reid was great because I knew who he was, and he was so good at it. He gave me a great bit of instruction.”
Making a difference and making memories, we raise our coffee cups to you Warren!
We will miss you Bob!
Jeannie Sparks says
I’ll miss Bob’s upbeat attitude. Am sure Tom, Ellen, & Warren have already come to greet him.
Nancy Lafferty says
To Judy and the Sparks family,
I am sorry for the loss of Bob. He was a good friend on the Garden Worship Team. I will forever think of him on Tuesday evenings. Please know that many people appreciated him and will miss him. God will be with you as you begin to accept Bob’s absence.
Sarah Cullather says
I knew Bob through Toastmasters. He was wonderfully supportive and encouraging. I loved his fantastic sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.
Susan Vinicor says
Like so many other clients, I will miss Bob’s patience, warmth, humor and understanding. What a lovely man. It was such a comfort to know I could call him with computer problems and that he would make every attempt to come as quickly as possible and work through the difficulty until it was corrected. My condolences are extended to his family for this very premature loss.
Sherri Curry says
I have known Bob for over 30 years. He was my first friend when I moved to Indiana as a young bride, the honorary “uncle” to my children, my family’s champion and the epitome of moral support through good times and bad.
Bob was the “Scrabble King”, always had the best coupons in his wallet, and was the only person I ever knew who could read and drive at the same time! When we think about Bob some of the first things that come to mind were his wonderful laugh (and accompanying sense of humor), his incredible intellect, never ending optimism, his listening ear and easy advice. Bob’s loyalty, steadfastness, and willingness to help will be forever missed.
We have spent the last 15 years in Colorado and we didn’t get to see each other as much as we would have liked, however, Bob’s voice never ceased to bring a smile and instant ease and comfort to our souls.
My daughter Meghan and I were in Indiana this past summer. We were invited to spend some time with Bob and Judy on a lazy, easy afternoon. We celebrated Judy’s birthday on a “Tiki” barge slowly moving up and down the White River, hardly believing we were in the middle of the northside of the city. We were just blocks away from where my family used to live. We marveled that you could live someplace your whole life, never seeing this side of “river life”. We will always remember that feeling of newness, wonder and surprise. In many ways, Bob was just like that afternoon. He always had something new to discover, talk about, experience and share. We will love him forever.
Our sympathies are with Judy, his family and many friends. We wish we could be there today to celebrate his life.
The Curry’s
Kent Millard says
Judy: My prayers are with you as you thank God for Bob’s life and all he meant to you, thank God for his eternal life and then love him and let him go. You were both such good companions for each other and I know how much he loved you. I will always remember his great work at St. Luke’s on our computers. May you feel God’s love coming to you through all of the love people share with you at the memorial service.
Grace and Peace,
Kent and Minnietta Millard
Kent Millard says
Judy: My prayers are with you as you thank God for Bob’s life and all he meant to you, thank God for his eternal life and then love him and let him go. You were both such good companions for each other and I know how much he loved you. I will always remember his great work at St. Luke’s on our computers. May you feel God’s love coming to you through all of the love people share with you at the memorial service.
Grace and Peace,
Kent and Minnietta Millard
Bill Hicks says
Bob:
Will now be debating with Brad Foster daily in heaven. Bob was a great addition to our Sunday School Class at Abundant Harvest UMC. He was a wonderful friend and speech judge. He will never be forgotten.
-Bill
Jack Melson says
Deepest sympathy for the Sparks family. You are in my prayers.
Greg Thomas says
Bob and I grew up together in the “Wides Addition” subdivision off of Kessler Boulevard in the 1950’s. We hung out together as adolescents and were buddies when we attended North Central High School. He was always such a positive, outgoing person. As often happens our life experiences had us drift apart after high school and we never really connected again. I did not learn of his passing for some time. It is sad to see someone taken at what today is considered still “young”, but from what I’ve read here I’m confident he is safe and secure in the arms of his loving Lord. That is the best solace family and friend can have for anyone who has left this life.