Jack Burton Sparks Jr.

Jack Burton Sparks, Jr. was welcomed into the world March 24, 1951, by his parents, Jack Burton Sparks and Ina Ree Curless, and his older sister Louanna. The small family grew with the addition of siblings Marla, Lynette, and Mike. Born and raised in Renton, Washington, Jack learned to work hard alongside his mother and siblings while helping at a nearby family farm. He also assisted his father, who was an electrician, painted homes, and guarded lives at a local pool. In his younger years, he also enjoyed wrestling, football, softball, and making fireworks.

After graduating from Renton High School (class of 1969), Jack served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uruguay and Paraguay. Next, Jack earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Finance from Brigham Young University. In a church meeting at BYU, Jack saw an attractive young woman named Luann Alldredge. He knew at once that he would marry her and asked the local matchmaker to set the two of them up. On May 24, 1973, he proposed to Luann, and they were married August 24, 1973, in the Salt Lake Temple. Jack and Luann will celebrate 50 years of marriage this year. Their first child, Lorina, was born a year later. Burton and Elise came next. Jack attained an MBA from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah and then took his family back to Renton to be near his parents. Three more children joined this eternal union: Celeste, Tamra, and Melaina. All told, their six children were born in eight years. The family moved to Issaquah, Washington in 1984. After 2016, Jack and Luann spent much of their time in Preston, Idaho.

Jack was truly a jack of all trades, and master of several. He was a skilled businessman, auto mechanic, martial artist, gardener, and handyman. Jack delighted in fishing, reading, and his tractors. Constantly working to improve himself, his home, and his land, Jack left everything better than he found it.

Honesty was one of Jack’s best qualities, and he had a reputation of integrity in his professional life. He helped many people through his work managing, advising, and appraising companies. He and his associates taught seminars around the country, but Jack most enjoyed his recent work teaching MBA students at the U of U.

All of Jack and Luann’s children earned black belts in Tae Kwon Do. Both Jack and Luann hold second-degree black belts. Jack was a powerful and determined fighter, and these traits enabled him to surmount huge health problems. During his lifetime, Jack battled and won against a broken back, a virus in his brain, hip replacements that resulted in near-deadly infections, and a severely damaged heart valve. As he suffered, he learned patience, compassion, humility, and trust in God.

Jack loved and followed his exemplar and Savior, Jesus Christ, and lived to serve God. He was kind and generous, but kept his good deeds quiet. He had a variety of church callings throughout his life and especially enjoyed his time working with young single adults and as a temple worker. He stayed true to the faith.

Jack was a loving Son, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin, Nephew, and In-Law. Family was one of his highest priorities, and it showed in his actions. As a proud father, he provided lots of learning opportunities for his children and had high expectations for them. He was an excellent provider, a devoted husband, and the best dance partner Luann could have asked for. Jack was an inspiring example, a fine mentor, and a true friend. Indeed, he left everyone a little better than he found them.

On May 23, 2023, after complications from a recent heart surgery, Jack’s spirit left his well-worn body, and he was welcomed to the next phase of this great adventure by his parents and other loved ones.

Jack is survived by his wife, Luann, his siblings, Louanna (Dick) Cook, Marla (Bob) Wahlgren, Lynette Sparks, and Mike (Lua) Sparks. He is watching over his children: Lorina (Bruce) Cardon, Burton (Cherstin) Sparks, Elise (Jason) Mullins, Celeste (Deven) Little, Tamra (Ian) Riter, and Melaina (Joe) Brewer, as well as his 30 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Jack’s family is especially grateful for the doctors and nurses at the University of Utah Hospital, who provided him with the best of care over the past five and a half years.

A funeral service for Jack will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 13th, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at 816 Field Avenue NE in Renton, Washington. Visitors may call on the Sparks family at that location beginning at 2:30pm and immediately following the service.