Glen Allen Sparks, age 87, of Townley (Hillard community) passed away on March 4, 2026, at Ridgeview Health Services in Jasper, AL. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. All his life he remained a humble, kind and generous human being who would help anyone at any time. He was a faithful friend and neighbor who was beloved by all and will be deeply missed.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Collins-Burke Funeral Home, services will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Collins-Burke Chapel. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. Joey Sparks will officiate.
Glen was preceded in death by his Wife of 60 years, Johnnie Lou Baldwin Sparks; Parents, Richard Allen Sparks and Cary Cleo Wright Sparks; brothers, J. T. Sparks and H. C. Sparks; and sister, Mary EJane Sparks Redmill.
Glen is survived by his daughters, all of Tuscaloosa; Karen Sparks Freeman (John), Cheryl Sparks Altemara (Drew), and Gina Sparks Nix (widow of Michael Nix); granddaughter, US Air Force Captain Anna Grace Freeman Mansell (Drew) of Rapid City, SD; grandson, US Navy Ensign John Glen Freeman of Pensacola, FL; and granddaughter, Madeline Rhae Nix of Tuscaloosa; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
Glen was born on July 21, 1938, to Rich and Cleo Sparks in the Townley community. He graduated from Walker County High School, class of 1956, and then attended The University of Alabama where he studied industrial engineering and served in Army ROTC.
After returning home from Tuscaloosa, Glen and Johnnie married. They made their home in the Hillard community where they raised their three girls.
Glen worked for Quaker Oats in Jasper for 6 years (1962-1968) and then started his civil service career with the Organizational Maintenance Shop (OMS) #7 Alabama Army National Guard in Jasper where he worked for 30 years (1968-1998).
Glen joined the National Guard in January 1957 at the age of 19 and retired in July 1998 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) after 41 years of service to his country. During his 41 years of service, he was part of several guard units with fond memories of the 877th Construction Engineering Battalion, the 341st Anti-Aircraft Battalion and the 135th Supply & Service Battalion.
After retirement, Glen worked with his daughter and son-in-law’s (Karen and John) business, Druid Ice, Inc. for almost 15 years. He was totally in his element in this old-world type of business. There was nothing Glen couldn’t design, engineer or build and he could literally fix anything. He was a much-beloved fixture with their employees and customers alike.
Outside of his service to country and state, Glen was a volunteer firefighter with the Townley Volunteer Fire Department for a number of years. Glen was a life-long farmer. He grew beautiful vegetable gardens each year for his family, neighbors and friends to enjoy. A very skilled, industrious and talented craftsman; he was a true jack-of-all trades.
Later in life his hobbies included keeping up with local happenings, collecting tractors and building bluebird houses. He loved feeding birds, especially hummingbirds, and stray cats. His pet cats, Minnie and Sarah, were happiest when in his lap.
His family is forever grateful to the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care in Jasper for the exceptional care he received there and to the staff of Ridgeview Health Services for the compassionate care they provided in his final months of life.
In honor of Glen, please make donations to your favorite charity or Midway Church of Christ, 17010 Hwy 69, Jasper, AL 35501.
