Viewing at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home, Walters, Thursday, February 13, 2025, and Friday, February 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Bobby Lee Sparks was born to Harold Edwin “Skipper” and Peggy Louise (Davis) Sparks on September 14, 1955, in Duncan, OK, and departed this life in Lawton, OK, on February 9, 2025, at the age of 69 years, 4 months, and 16 days.
From 1956-1968, Bobby grew up in South Louisiana. The family moved to Temple, OK, and he graduated from THS in 1974. He married Dorothy Sue Brown on January 19, 1976, gaining four stepdaughters, and to the union, a son, Bobby Leon, was born.
He worked in the oilfield around Walters, Temple, and Empire. He operated heavy equipment on the building of Waurika Lake and worked on the construction of the Goodyear plant. In 1981, he and his wife ran the Tiger’s Den in Temple. They built a new house in Lions Cove at Walters, and he was employed at CertainTeed until 1991. He then worked as a shop foreman for Washex, building manifolds for washing machines until 1997, before joining his son at Cajun Contractors as a pipe fitter. From 1998 to 2002, he worked for Bar-S, then as a heavy equipment mechanic at Fort Sill for a contractor. From 2006 to 2007, he and his son worked as contractors in Iraq, repairing Humvees.
He later worked on heavy equipment in Duncan until an accident medically retired him in 2011. He and his son ran a guide service, Sparks Noodling, for several years. In 2012, they appeared on River Monsters, ESPN Timeless, and Discover Oklahoma, with their episode being voted #1 of the year. In 2013, they filmed two episodes of Okies and Aliens.
Bobby attended Brown Baptist Church south of Walters. After the passing of Sue, he later married Lila Nadine (Smith) McIntyre on October 28, 2018, making their home in Walters.
Bobby loved hunting gators in his youth and spent a lifetime fishing and teaching others how to noodle and pole fish. He enjoyed raising hogs with his grandkids, watching Baylor raid his cabinets, and cooking mashed potatoes for Bethany anytime she asked. He also loved dancing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Skipper and Peggy Sparks; his wife, Sue Sparks; his brother, Curtis Sparks; and his sister, Gayle Ann Sparks.
Survivors include his wife, Lila Sparks of the home; his son, Bobby Leon Sparks and Brandy of Walters; four stepdaughters, Tammy Collins and Annette Hargrove, both of Walters, Robin Studer and Shawn Studer, both of Wichita Falls, TX; a brother, Ocie Sparks of Rush Springs; two sisters, Judy Lowrie of Portland, OR, and Barbara Johnson and Clayton of Lawton; a brother-in-law, Willie Smith of Medicine Park; three grandchildren, Matthew Collins of Wichita Falls, Bethany Sparks and Edgar Stevenson of Walters, Baylor Sparks and Lizzie Coleman of Temple; four great-grandchildren, Andy Oxford Reed, Parker Stevenson, Harper Stevenson, and Caydence Byrd; as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.
