Jay Sparks

On January 9, 2016, Jay A Sparks took his final ride on his beloved Harley. A devoted and loving father, husband, brother, son, friend; Jay will always be remembered for his wit, humor, sarcasm and love for his family.
A proud father, his children and grandchildren were the apples of his eyes. All first timers to the "House of Sparks" were immediately shown pictures and told stories about the current happenings of his children. He was so proud of the amazing young men and women they had become and looked forward to watching them continue to grow in their lives and careers. He proudly displayed his two blue stars to show his sons were in the Army and would quickly show pictures and photos of his daughters. Walking his daughter down the aisle at her wedding in October had brought him to tears and, in a rare moment, rendered him speechless.
Jay had shared the last 17 years with his love, Yvonne, and had been planning the next adventures in their lives after his coming retirement. Always being the secret romantic, he had recently surprised her with an amazing Christmas trip that he had spent three years planning and putting together to make sure everything was perfect for her.
He loved hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his family and loved ones. It only took the suggestion of a barbeque and he was quick to fire up the grill, turn on either classic rock and Scottish music and start inviting everyone over to share some delicious food and spirits.
With great pride in his Scottish Heritage, he was very active in the Clan Scott Society of America and served as the Virginia Commission and Member at Large for the National Organization. Last year he fulfilled a dream to visit Scotland and visit the town and city where his ancestors had come from.
He always loved Harleys and although he had taken a hiatus from riding for several years; in 2013, he acquired his beloved 2003 hundred year anniversary bike and his constant riding companion, RB the bear. Jay enjoyed riding the open roads and hill country, always posting the adventures of where RB had been. A proud patriot, he had also participated in rides to remember the victims of September 11 and had recently joined the Patriot Guard in San Antonio.
A proud patriot who came from a family involved in law enforcement, Jay started his career as a police officer and then became a deputy sheriff. He then joined the Border Patrol and spent the next 27 years advancing in his Federal Law Enforcement career working for the U.S. Border Patrol, Legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security. He loved his work and the difference he made through it.
Jay is survived by his wife, Yvonne, his four children - Lynsie Danielle Sparks Maldonado, Carissa Claire Sparks, Allen Jay Sparks and John Travis Sparks; his four grandchildren - Saya Amira Soto, John Travis Sparks III, Ilene Blossom Sparks and Hazel May Sparks; five siblings - Teloa Swinnea, Terri Tucker, Trava Baker, John Sparks, and Jesse Travis Sparks and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents - John and Betty Sparks
He will be greatly missed.

Friends and colleagues are invited to a visitation this Thursday, January 14 at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary at 220 South Getty Street, Uvalde, Texas, which will open at 1:00 pm Central Standard Time. Rosary Service and eulogy will begin at 7:00 pm
Visitation on Friday, January 15, will take place at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary from 9:00 am - noon. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 408 Fort Clark Road, Uvalde, Texas. Burial will follow in the J.A. Sparks Memorial Cemetery.
All who knew Jay, knew his passion for his Scottish heritage. The Clan Scott Society (a 501 (c) (3) charitable corporation) has established an annual Scottish Performing Arts scholarship in memory of Jay Sparks. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the scholarship (tax deductible) may be sent to :
Clan Scott Society, Inc., P.O. Box 13021Austin, Texas 78711-3021
Attn: Jay Sparks Memorial Scholarship

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Thursday, January 14, 2016
1:00 p.m.

Service

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
408 Ft. Clark Rd.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Friday, January 15, 2016
1:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Sparks Memorial Cemetery
HWY 90 W
Cline, TX