James E. (Jim) Sparks

James E. (Jim) Sparks, Jr. of Little Rock died May 19, 2015. He was born April 21, 1947. A native of Hazen, Arkansas, Jim studied music and served as drum major at the University of Central Arkansas and graduated with a Masters from Southern Methodist University. An accomplished musician, performer, and teacher, Jim directed more than 90 musical productions during his 43 years in the industry, leading elite programs in Arkansas, Texas, and Illinois. Jim's students have enjoyed great success in film, television, and stage productions at all levels including Broadway in New York City. Jim, himself an accomplished performer, also served as musical director and performer for several international cruise lines before returning to Texas. His summers were typically spent as a guest teacher and choreographer at various camps across the country. Just One Voice that touched so many others. Jim attended 1st Presbyterian Church in Houston and was a member of the Hazen First United Methodist Church. Jim is the son of the late James E. (Red) Sparks, Sr. and Sarah (Sally) Screeton Sparks, and grandson of the late Jerry J. Screeton and Hazel P. Screeton, and E.V. and Ava Sparks all of Hazen. He is survived by his brother, Jerry Sparks and his wife, Beth and their children, Sarah Sparks Diebold and William Sparks and many, many lifelong friends who became family along the way. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that consideration be given to memorials to: 1st Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas; Hazen First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 712, Hazen, Ark. 72064 or the Staman Ogilvie Fund for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery, Rehabilitation and Research in care of the Memorial Hermann Foundation. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Hazen with visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Hazen Cemetery. Arrangements are by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen. Online obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen.com.