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1958 - 2018
Ernest Edward “Ernie” Sparks, 59, of Barboursville, passed away Monday, March 19, 2018 at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by Pastor Greg Wagoner and Pastor Kerry Bart. Burial will be in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. He was born November 12, 1958, in Huntington, a son of Naomi Bias Sparks of Barboursville and the late Freddie Lee Sparks. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by one daughter, Cassandra Sparks. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Amy Mathews Sparks; one son and daughter-in-law, Zack and Stacee Sparks and their daughter, Sloan of Akron, Ohio; one daughter, Ellen Sparks of Barboursville. Ernie graduated from Barboursville High School in 1977, as a three-sport athlete, three-time place winner and student body president. He went to Marshall University on an Athletic Scholarship where he played football one year and wrestled for four years, receiving numerous accolades. He graduated Marshall in 1981 with a triple major and began his 33-year teaching and coaching career in Cabell County where he again received many awards over the years. He coached girl’s tennis, football, and wrestling at Barboursville High School and then at Cabell Midland until 2007. He retired in 2014. In 1981 and 1992, he participated in the USA Wrestling Foreign Exchange Student Program in Germany. He participated in the 1984 Summer Olympic Regional Qualifier for wrestling. In 2009, he was awarded the “Lifetime of Service to Wrestling” by the National Hall of Fame, an award dedicated to people for their commitment to help young people succeed in wrestling as well as life. During his retirement, he became a trivia enthusiast, forming Team Panda with several close friends and playing various places in Huntington. He loved his children more than life itself and was extremely proud of their accomplishments. He was privileged to watch Zack and Ellen participate in sports and to graduate college. He was able to attend Zack and Stacee’s wedding and to enjoy his 5-month old granddaughter, Sloan. He spent time encouraging Ellen in her graduate school program. Ernie was a lifelong resident of Barboursville and will be missed by many. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the WV Wrestling Hall of Fame, 510 9th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
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There are currently 7 condolences.
Lori Kirwan Moore
Saturday March 24, 2018 at
7:21 PM
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Amy, Ellen and Family,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Husband/Dad.....
Thoughts are with All of You......
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BJ and Carolyn Bruce
Saturday March 24, 2018 at
12:22 AM
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Love and prayers to all the family
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Mike Chapman
Mchappy44@gmail.com
Friday March 23, 2018 at
8:26 AM
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To the Sparks family,,
I send my deepest condolences. I loved Ernie. I just called him Coach. I can’t expalin how much of an impact he had on my life. Ernie and my mother Lisa Miller graduated together. I’m not sure if that’s why he took special interest in me or not. But I’m confident I would not be the man I am today without his presence in my life. I never wanted to let him down even though I’m sure I did. He always made time and special effort to mentor me not only in athletics but life. I just cannot express how important he was to me growing up. Him and Coach T were my hero’s. So thankful for the man he was and so sorry for the loss.
Love ya Coach.
Thank you
Mike Chapman
Class of 99
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Linda Reynolds
Thursday March 22, 2018 at
10:05 PM
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Amy, I am sorry for your loss. I was always glad to see you and Ernie come in my office. Val called to tell me he had died on Monday and you and your kids have not been off my mind since. Love and prayers.
Linda
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Teena White Vogel
Thursday March 22, 2018 at
9:57 PM
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Fly high with the angels Ernie. I will always remember your smile and your laugh. Sure had some fun times in high school. Prayers are for and with you and the family.
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Darel & Kathy Pickenpaugh
Thursday March 22, 2018 at
12:50 PM
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To the Sparks family, We are saddened to learn of Ernie's passing. Many great memories of our time together with wrestling at Marshall and with HS teams. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Darel & Kathy Pickenpaugh
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Greg, Jeannie, Ethan Reese
Wednesday March 21, 2018 at
10:06 AM
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Dear Sparks,Stacee,Sloan and Family, Holding you all close in Thoughts and Hearts and in our Prayers. With Sympathy and Caring, Reese's Greg Jeannie, Ethan.
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