Albert Ross Sparks

Albert Ross Sparks founder of Ross Sparks Builders died March 6, 2012. He was 82. Ross was born October 17, 1929 to O.W. and Effie Holmes Sparks at Hazen, Arkansas. He was a business man, builder, and craftsman known for his integrity, honesty and generosity. Born and raised during the great depression, Ross exemplified, all of the virtues ascribed to the greatest generation including hard work and devotion to God and Country. Ross came off the farm like many of that era, and became a skilled carpenter, a project superintendent and founded and operated his on commercial contracting firm, Ross Sparks Builders, that has built and continues to build many of the commercial and institutional buildings throughout Arkansas. He supervised the construction of many landmark buildings in Little Rock including early sections of the Children's Hospital, the second phase of the Doctors Building, The Sears Store, a renovation of the Historic Capital Hotel, the Farm Bureau Building, sections of the Little Rock National Air Port and numerous buildings on the Little Rock Air Force Base. Respected by employees, vendors and subcontractors alike, Ross was a man of his word, and a man of high standards with a bent toward hard work. It was said by many who worked for him that after you worked a day for Ross Sparks you felt in your bones you had put in a hard day of work. You could always see progress from one day to the next on his projects. All who worked for and under Ross respected his skilled and confident way of moving a job forward, and how he taught them to be better equipped to do their work. The highest compliment Ross felt he ever received came from his former boss, mentor and fellow contractor, Nick Howell, who when asked to give a reference for Ross said. "There is nothing that Ross cannot build." Ross was devoted to his Christian faith, and a member of Life Line Baptist Church in southwest Little Rock for 48 years where he served as a Deacon and Youth Sunday School Teacher. He served on the Board of Directors of the Ozark Conference Center a Christian Conference and Youth Camp ministry. After his retirement he volunteered to supervise the renovation and construction of the Conference facility near Morrilton, Ark. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army doing a tour of duty during the Korean Conflict stationed around Seoul, South Korea. Ross was a member of the Jones STABS Deer Hunting Club and enjoyed his annual hunts with friends and family. He liked to tinker and just loved to build things. He built two homes, a family, a business and a life filled with joy and good will. Ross was admired for being a kind, compassionate and generous man. He could always be counted on by co- workers and employees who found themselves short and needed a little help to get them to payday. He took the proverb to cast your bread upon the waters literally, and generously gave to seven and even to eight. Once a homeless man wandered off the street on to a job site, and asked if anyone could help him out. Without hesitating Ross pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to the man and wished him well. Ross was also a kind and loving husband to his wife of 62 years and a loving father and grandfather to his two sons and four grandsons. He leaves to his sons and grandsons a legacy that truly affirms that the glory of sons is their fathers. He leaves a legacy of integrity and honesty in business, compassion and generosity to mankind, and love and kindness to friends and family. Ross is survived by his wife, Barbra Ann, his two sons Albert Bruce Sparks, and Bryan Keith Sparks (Pamela), four grandsons, Albert Bruce Sparks Jr. of Houston, Texas, Keegan Ross Sparks, James Collin Sparks, and Bryan Kenley Sparks all of Little Rock, his sister, Maxine Creel of Pearl Mississippi, and a beloved extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Ross' special care giver Brenda Aldridge and the team of doctors and nurses at the VA Little Rock and North Little Rock who gave great care to him during his last days. Visitation will be held at Life Line Baptist Church from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday March 8, 2012. Funeral Services will be Friday March 9, 2012 at 10 a.m. also at Life Line Baptist Church with Brother Jeff Dial and Anthony Rhodes officiating. Interment will be at Pine Crest Memorial Cemetery immediately following the funeral services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in honor of him to the Ozark Conference Center, 4 Ozark Mountain Road Solgohachia, Ark. 72156. Arrangements provided by Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Ark. 72209 (501) 455-5800. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.