Clifton "Clif" Sparks

Clifton R. Sparks, was born January 25, 1925 in Pittsburg, PA to Clifton and Vera Sparks, and went home to be with his Lord on April 2, 2014. He was an only child and was raised on the Sparks Circus for the first three years of his life. When the circus was sold in 1928, the family moved to Flushing, Long Island. At the age of 14, he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. He attended a prep school in Kings Point, L.I. on an athletic scholarship where he lettered three years in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating in 1942, he attended Lehigh University where he played varsity football and studied engineering. In December 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy V-12 officers' training program. The following May, he was called to active duty and sent to M.I.T. in Cambridge, MA from which he received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. After being discharged from the Navy, he played on season of semi-pro football on Long Island and one season of semi-pro baseball in western up-state New York. He spent all of his working life as an engineer in manufacturing plants. He met Esther Down at the First Baptist Church of Flushing, L.I. where she had been called as a vocal soloist and church secretary. They were married there March 12, 1949. Both were members fo that choir and led the young people's group of that church. In 1950 Clif's work brought them to Connecticut and a few years later they visited Bethany Covenant Church in New Britain and soon were accepted into membership. He and Esther were members of the choir for about 40 years. During his membership at Bethany, he served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, assistant treasurers, twice as financial secretary, council member, a member of the Evangelism and Outreach ministry, and as a care team member. Clif is survived by his wife Esther; a daughter Wendy Beaulieu and her husband Paul; four grandchildren, Dan, Ben, Jacquelene, and Phil. A son, Steve, went to be with The Lord at the age of 22. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Bethany Covenant Church,. A reception will follow the church service. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to The Building Fund of Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin, CT 06037.