James "Jim" Anderson Sparks

JAMES ANDERSON SPARKS, Jr. James Anderson "Jim" Sparks, Jr was born December 19, 1928, in Austin, Texas, to Ellen Hester Sparks and James Anderson Sparks, Sr. He died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 in Georgetown. Jim is survived by his children: son, James Clifton Sparks of Bastrop; daughters, Lucy Ellen Neyens of Blanco, Mary Alice Davis of Burnet, Dr. Sarah Ann Lloyd of Houston, and Susan Kay Reveille of Waco; step-daughters Laura Simon and Carole Fox; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and large extended family. Jim graduated from Austin High School at age 15 and later attended the University of Texas, where he studied bacteriology. He began working for the Texas Highway Department in1953 (now the Texas Dept of Transportation) and eventually retired from that agency as a Motor Vehicle Division supervisor after being the first automation systems analyst and computer systems instructor of the Highway Department's automation section. He was an avid lifelong fisherman and sportsman, and a charter member of the Austin Bass Club and the Colorado River Runners, among others. As a serious angler in Texas bass to...[more]

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aments, he won numerous trophies, as well as awards for sportsmanship and conservation. Through his efforts, many young people became introduced to fishing during the Austin Aqua Festival Kiddie Fishing Derbies throughout the history of AquaFest, and other events. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 12:00 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX, with Funeral Services following at 2:00 PM at Harrell Funeral Home. Burial will be 12:00 PM on Monday, May 18, 2020 at Giddings City Cemetery. Harrell Funeral Home remains committed to the health of our community and following instructions from our local authorities. New gathering requirements are allowing more people to attend funeral services at one time. The number of guests permitted to gather is dependent on the capacity of the room where the service is occurring. The Austin and the Kyle Chapel can hold 40 guests at one time. All guests attending services are required to wear protective masks and practice social distancing etiquette. Also, we have increased cleaning protocols to make our home as safe as possible. Guests with compromised immune systems or feeling ill are asked to join services from the safety of their homes.