James Willard Sparks

James Willard Sparks, 57, passed away Jan. 7, 2011 in Escondido, Calif. He was born April 12, 1953 in Camp Lejeune, N.C. After graduating from First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Va. (1971) and Palomar College (1973), he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was medically retired in 1974.

Jim loved his art work and mathematics. He was a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and received the Order of the Arrow. He was also a life member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

He is survived by his mother, Genevieve Sparks, Temecula, Calif .; brother William S. Sparks (Gretchen), Bellaire, Tex .; sister Janet E. Sparks, Capitola, Calif .; four nieces, one great-nephew and one great-niece.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lt. Col. William F. Sparks, USMC (ret.) and brother Theodore (Ted) Sparks.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 16 at 12:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Fallbrook; a shelter service with military honors will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary handled the arrangements.