Thomas Harvey Sparks

Born in Martwick, Kentucky, Mr. Sparks was son of the late Huba Elmer Sparks and Hazel Mildred Cessna Sparks. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving honorably as a Sergeant in Lebanon and Germany, was an Eagle Scout and was the founding Scoutmaster of Troop 502 in Lilburn, Georgia. Mr. Sparks was a Master Mason with the Wellington Masonic Lodge No. 467 and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Greshamville, Georgia where he sang in the choir. He was a charter member of the Hard Labor Creek Curling and Reading Society. An accomplished artist and musician, he performed before the Grand Ole Opry, where he played the upright bass with his music group, the Country Cowboys. Later in life he was a professional Santa Claus that brought joy to thousands of children.

Survivors include a cousin, Fred Heltsley of Tullahoma, Tennessee; hundreds of Boy Scouts that he led to become young men over the years; and many dear friends.

A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m., at the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, 1400 Farmington Rd., Madison, Georgia 30650 (Greshamville community), with Rev. Mike Pritchett officiating.

Bernstein Funeral Home of Athens, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.