Burton Yandell Sparks

Burton Yandell Sparks, age 90, of West, passed away early Thursday afternoon, December 28, 2006 at a local nursing home. Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Gholson Cemetery with Rev. Terry McElrath officiating. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by West V.F.W. Post No. 4819. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Sparks was born August 3, 1916 in Gholson, the son of Eugene and Harriett (McMorrough) Sparks. He graduated from West High School and enlisted in the U. S. Army just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served during World War II in the European Theatre of Operation before being honorably discharged in 1945. He then returned to the Tokio community where he continued to live for the rest of his life. He enjoyed gardening, ranching, and farming. Yandell was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack Sparks; and two sisters, Elizabeth Weiss and Dorothy Vickers. Survivors include one sister, Harriet Parker and her husband Harold of Chalk Bluff; one brother-in-law, Martin Weiss of Denton; two nephews; four nieces; seven great nieces and nephews; and a number of cousins, other relatives, and friends. Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth McMorrough, John Erwin, Gary Parker, and Brian Parker. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tokio Baptist Church, Gholson Cemetery Association, or the charity of your choice.