James Dibrell Sparks, Jr

James Dibrell Sparks, Jr. 87, of Fort Smith, died June 2, 2016 in Fort Smith. He was born July 13, 1928 in Fort Smith to James D. and Mabel Sparks. Jim graduated from Joplin High School in 1946 and began his service in the U.S. Navy as a World War II veteran at the age of 17. He earned his Business Administration Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1952. Prior to moving to Fort Smith, he was employed by Continental Oil, American Oil and the Ford Motor Company. Jim served as senior vice President of First National Bank of Fort Smith from 1968 to 1994 and served on the Board of Directors for 50 years, and he served 14 years on the Board of Sparks Regional Medical Center, formerly Belle Point Hospital, which following a bequest left by his grandfather, the name was changed to Sparks Memorial Hospital in honor of Jim’s grandmother Ann Eliza Dibrell. Jim and his wife Jean were active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Fort Smith. He was an avid golfer at Hardscrabble County Club and helped initiate the Fort Smith Crime Stoppers Program. He raised funds for the Southside High School Football Stadium and was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. Jim was also past Chairman of the United Way in 1972 and a former Exchange Club Member.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Sparks of Fort Smith; two daughters, Carolyn Sue Pugh of Fort Smith and Virginia Stewart and her husband Mike of Aledo, TX and one son, James D. Sparks, III and his wife Tina of Sugar Land, Texas; one step son, Jerry Williams of Fort Smith and step daughter Julie Barber and her husband Matthew of Fort Smith; grandchildren, Melinda Williams and her husband Malcolm of Jenks, OK, Matt Stewart and his wife Andrea of Garland, TX, Amber Wallace and her husband Jonathan of Bryant, AR, Julie Stegall and her husband Cliff of Fort Worth, TX, and George, Andrew, and Nicholas Sparks of Sugar Land, TX, Dakota Williams and Sebastian Barber both of Fort Smith; and 8 great grandchildren, Justin, Tori, Tyson, Olivia, Luke, Halle, Cyrus, and Elizabeth.

Funeral service will be Monday, June 6, 2016 at 9:00 AM at St. John’s Episcopal Church with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery with Military Honors, all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Courtney Dunn, Albert Snider, Mike Echols, John Johnson, Jim Harmon, Jim Fourmy, Dakota Williams, Sebastian Barber, Nicholas Sparks, Andrew Sparks, and George Sparks.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Laser, Doug Smith, Bruce McNeill, Dr. Boyd Saviers, Jack Freeze, Kenneth Britton, Larry Evans, Dick Boyette, and Officers and Directors of First National Bank of Fort Smith.

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 215 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com