Lonnie Ray Sparks

Lonnie Ray Sparks, age 90, resident of Coweta, OK was born on December 4, 1933 to Andrew Jefferson Sparks and Chessie May (Thomas) Sparks in Daisy, OK. Lonnie passed away on Saturday morning, June 8, 2024.

Lonnie grew up working on a farm outside Ada, OK. Lonnie was a graduate of Vanoss, OK High School. After high school, Lonnie worked in the oil field business and Bonner’s Auto Supply in Ada. Lonnie moved to Barstow, CA where he owned and operated a gas station. He then went to work for a Standard Oil gas station. Lonnie Ray Sparks and Mary Lou (Jones) Sparks were married on July 19, 1957. They moved to Modesto, CA. Lonnie and Mary Lou later moved to Sacramento, CA where he worked for Capital Plating. In 1968, Lonnie and Mary Lou moved to Coweta, OK. Lonnie worked for several plating shops in Tulsa, OK over the years while also running an Auto Upholstery, and TV repair side business. In 1983, Lonnie and his brother Bob and son Kevin started Sparks Plating in Coweta, OK and then moved the business to Haskell, OK. Lonnie continued to work until 2016 and then retired to take care of Mary Lou until her passing in 2018. He then worked part-time at Sparks Plating until he had to stop because of his health.

Lonnie’s hobbies included antique tractor pulling, fishing, gardening, working on cars and anything else mechanical. Lonnie was involved in church work at the Church of God of Prophecy in Sacramento, CA and Coweta, OK.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Jefferson Sparks and Chessie May Sparks Hill; his sister, Lorine and husband Allen; his brother, Levi and wife Faye; his brother, Bobby; and several nieces and nephews.

Lonnie is survived by 2 sons, Brian Duane Sparks of Coweta, OK and Kevin Wayne Sparks and wife Roxanna of Coweta, OK; his sister, Nadine and husband Leland Hall of Sacramento, CA; his sister-in-law, Vina of Porter, OK; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Brown Funeral Home in Coweta, OK. Services celebrating Lonnie’s life will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Coweta Church of God of Prophecy in Coweta, OK with Pastor Matt Rowell officiating.  Burial will follow in Vernon Cemetery in Coweta, OK.

Family and friends are invited to share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com. The family of Lonnie Ray Sparks entrusted his care and services to Brown Funeral Home & Cremations, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, 918-486-5515.