Obituary of Barry G Sparks

Barry G. Sparks, the son of Jim and Doris (Riddle) Sparks was born November 6, 1957, in Knoxville, Iowa.  He graduated from Newton Senior High School with the class of 1976.  He went on to receive a degree in architectural drafting from DMACC.

On March 3, 1984, Barry was united in marriage with Mary Terlouw in Newton, Iowa.  During the first few years of their marriage, Barry designed and built his family’s home, where he lived until this past summer. He worked at Cline tool for 38 years. In his free time, he enjoyed being outdoors, biking, hiking, and camping.  He especially loved the mountains.  Every summer he took his family to the Black Hills or Colorado to camp and enjoy the mountains. He also took many climbing trips with his brother, Greg.  Barry loved to serve others and most recently volunteered at Discover Hope, working with young people who were overcoming addiction.

In 2017, Barry lost Mary, his wife of 33 years, to cancer.  God brought Angie (Ingram) Oden into Barry’s life a few years later, and on September 8th, 2020, they were married.  Last October, Barry was diagnosed with ALS. The challenge he faced this last year did not steal his joy but brought out his unwavering faith and determination.  Angie fondly remembers coming home from work and hearing Barry say, “Come here, you” giving her a hug, “You’re home”, and on September 18th, 2021, we know the Lord held out his arms and said to Barry “Come here, you. You’re home.”

Barry died on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at his home in Altoona, Iowa.  He was 63 years old.

Those left to honor Barry’s memory include his wife, Angie Sparks; his daughters, Sarah (Craig) Horstman and Katie (Randy) Veurink; his step son, Graham Oden; his step daughters, Chelsea Oden (Mike Hellman) and Sarah (Jonathan) Gears; his grandchildren, Caden, Aly, Natalie, Harper, Marion; his parents, Jim and Doris Sparks; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Charlene and Eddie Ingram; his brother, Greg (Mary) Sparks; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Connie (Carl) Duinink, Steve (Kathy) Terlouw, Helen (Greg) Neer, David (Sharon) Ingram and Cory (Lilian) Ingram.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton.  The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton.  Memorials may be designated to the Community Heights Alliance Youth Ministries and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.