Mr. Wade Hampton (Sparky) Sparkman, Jr. went home to be with Our Lord and Savior July 13, 2015. He was a charter member of Pine Grove Baptist Church and currently a member of Garden City Methodist.
Born on November 12, 1924 in Fernandina Beach to Wade Hampton Sparkman, Sr. and Irene Sparkman (Zetterower) he was the eldest son of eight children,Vivian, Delia, Dorothy, Andy, Little Berry, Jimmy, and Geraldine.
Sparky was a product of the Great Depression and as such survived by fending for his family working at a tender age as many were forced to do to support his family. This event left an indelible mark upon his adult life. He often spoke of the hardships, challenges, and misfortunes his family and community endured. Wade had many a story to share about Fernandina’s local history and childhood including times when a coca cola cost 5 cents, a “picture show” costs 10 cents (which you had to take the once a week bus to Jacksonville) and a week supply of groceries cost 5 dollars. Other stories included local folklore about pirate treasure hidden around Fort Clinch, pirate’s muskets and gold stashed near Brady Point, and landmarks that pointed to the locations.
Sparky graduated from the original Yulee High School. He became a teacher and coached the first boys’ basketball team to a State Championship. He was drafted by the Army during WW 2 and was discharged due to a medical condition. He followed in his father’s footsteps and began two distinct and successful careers. One in construction and the other in commercial fishing. He first served as a drag line operator constructing Rayonier in 1940 and was recruited by Container Corporation to work in building maintenance. In between shifts at Rayonier and Container for 30 years he operated 2 shrimp boats, 2 crab boats, owned a family operated business( Sparky’s Seafood ) at A1A and Wade’s Place, and built seven shrimp boats (the Anna Marie, the Santa Maria, Captain Stan, Miss Melody, the Melody Starr, the Kingfisher and one un-named private trawler.) He employed locally the Drummond family and Simmons family during his boat building career. Sparky was an avid proponent of education and served for many years on local school PTA’s, volunteer, provided Christmas trees to local schools, and constructed props for school plays. He aspired to serve on our local school board and ran for office on several occasions losing by seven votes once.
To say the least Sparky was no stranger to hard work and expected that from his children all who participated in his businesses. He insisted that they were to attend college and obtain the opportunities that he was not afforded due to the depression and due to his affection for his children to prosper. As a result three of his children went on to serve as educators.
As the commercial seafood industry declined and A1A was replaced by four lane highway Sparky closed the family business, moved his family to Yulee, retired from Container and became the Maintenance Director ( as his father was) as a one man crew restoring, maintaining and constructing the facilities for Nassau County for 18 years. He also became a licensed roofing contractor and carpenter serving residents of Fernandina Beach from 1972 until he was 82 years old.
Sparky was a man of integrity, compassion, forgiveness and was generous. He conducted his businesses as man of his word. A handshake was a binding contract and he lived by that principle which is so rare today. Wade enjoyed football, fishing in Lofton Creek and the Amelia River.
Wade Hampton (Sparky) Sparkman, Jr. is survived by the love of his life Mary Ruth Sparkman (Durrance) whom have been married for more than 68 years, raising four children Lovelee Melody Lloyd (Larry) of Franklin, NC, Stanley Keith Sparkman of Palm Desert, CA, Merrie Starr Davis (Don) and Wade Tracy Sparkman (Elizabeth), 13 grandchildren (Wade, Marlena, Briton, Justin, Grace, Mary, Trevor, Sherry. Keith, Kristin, Rick, Taylor, and Sarah) six great grandchildren (Hunter, Nikko, Mathew, Barrett, Easton and Joseph) and numerous nieces, nephews, brother in –law, sister in-law and his remaining sibling Jimmy Sparkman (Kay Higginbotham Sparkman) who resides in Lake Junaluska, NC.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled near Labor Day and friends and family will be notified.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to Nassau Community Hospice in Fernandina Beach, FL