Frederick “Rick” Charles Sparks, age 74 of Comstock Park, MI passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Rick was born April 18, 1940 to Fred and Eleanor Sparks. He was a graduate of East Grand Rapids High School (class of 1959) and attended Michigan State University (1959 – 1961) and graduated from Ferris State University with a Marketing Degree (1961 – 1964). He was part of the Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity. Rick married Mary Ellen (Harden) Sparks June 6, 1964. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer surrounded by family for a weekend in Traverse City. Rick worked for Independent Distributors (1964 – 1979) a family owned business. He was a salesman for Michigan Kitchen Distributors from (1979 – 1996). He retired and kept himself busy by playing golf and being a member of the Sparta Moose Lodge #50 and AMVETS Post 126. He was a history enthusiast and an avid sports fan always cheering on his Detroit Lions, Michigan State University & Notre Dame Football teams. Rick is survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen; son, Douglas (Margaret) Sparks; daughters, Deborah (Eric) Ritchie and Angela (Chip) Cooper; grandchildren, Patrick, Shane, Kyle Sparks and Finnegan, Molly, Paige Ritchie; brother, John (Mary Ann) Sparks; and sister, Julia (Fred) Pfannenstiehl. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday 11:30 a.m. at The Shrine St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe, 250 Brown St., Grand Rapids. Rev. Jose Luis Quintana presiding. Interment Maryknoll Cemetery, Carson City. Visitation Sunday 3-6:00 p.m. with the Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. S.E., Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the VanAndel Institute for Parkinson’s Disease Research, 333 Bostwick Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
