Barry Sparks

Obituary of Barry G Sparks

Please share a memory of Barry to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.

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.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barry Sparks, please visit Tribute Store
Wednesday
22
September

Visitation with the family

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home & Cremation Services
310 N. 2nd Ave. E.
Newton, Iowa, United States
Thursday
23
September

Funeral Service

11:00 am
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Community Heights Alliance Church
2500 S. 13th Ave. E.
Newton, Iowa, United States

Final Resting Place

Palo Alto Cemetery
4968 Hwy. S74 S.
Newton, Iowa, United States
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event
Barry Sparks

In Loving Memory

Barry Sparks

1957 - 2021

Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
Share Your Memory of
Barry