He was born on September 10, 1930, a son of the late Leon “Bill” and Janice Sparks of Sparksville, Mississippi.
Richard attended high school in Morton, Mississippi during which time he drove a school bus and played center on the football team.
After high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Esther Marie Freeman. Richard served his country in the Navy during the Korean conflict and was a proud veteran.
After returning from the Navy, he took a job with Monroe Calculators and became a mechanical calculator repair technician. He worked there for approximately 37 years and was endeared by his customers not only for his ability to repair their machines so quickly, but for his humor and customer service while in their office.
Richard had a happy disposition and could often be heard whistling as he worked or walked. He was always eager to be helpful to anyone in need. Several times people have witnessed him giving to others without a thought of his own needs.
In his free time, he loved to fish. His favorite place to fish was the Gulf of Mexico.
He loved God and quietly served Him in his daily life. He rarely missed church and deeply loved his church family. He sang in the choir for the last 25 years or so of his life.
There was nothing he loved more in recent years than watching the Starkville Sting, where his great-grandson played second base on the team.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 66 years, Esther Freeman Sparks.
He is survived by his son, Richard C. Sparks, Jr. and his wife Pam; daughter, Ruth Mowdy and her husband Jerry; grandson Ryan Sparks and his wife Bekah; granddaughter Melissa Jones and her husband Kevin; great-grandchildren Reed Sparks, Hannah Jones, Noah Jones, Sarah Jones, and Caleb Jones; brother, Dan Sparks; and sister, Janet Howerton.
Richard was laid to rest beside his wife at Floral Hills Memory Gardens with private graveside services in August 2020.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brandon.
