John H. "Sparkie" Sparks, 82, died Thursday, February 10, 2011 at his residence in the Princeton Junction section of West Windsor Township.

Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, John moved to Princeton Junction over 55 years ago. He played high school football at Trenton High School. After graduation, he entered the military and served in the Army during the time of the Korean Conflict. There, as a mason, he helped in the setting up of boot camps and after showing his football ability, played for the Army football program against various teams throughout the United States.

Sparkie was a chemical operator for Carter Wallace Corporation in Cranbury, NJ prior to his 1993 retirement. Previously he was employed by American Cyanamid in Princeton and F.M.C. in Plainsboro, NJ.

Mr. Sparks was a member of the American Legion, Post 76 in Princeton, the Forked River Elks Lodge and the Princeton Junction Fire Company. In his leisure time, he enjoyed salt water fishing, trips to Atlantic City and horse racing.

John is predeceased by his first wife Mildred K. Sparks in 1978, his second wife, Naomi Sparks in 2008, a brother Warren ("Red") and two sisters Mary and Helen.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law Bill J. and Theresa Sparks of New Egypt, NJ, a daughter Carol of New Jersey, two grandsons; William M. Sparks and his wife Leslie and Robert J. Sparks, a great grandson Tyler Sparks, a brother and sister-in-law Harold and Mary Sparks and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will begin at 11:00am in the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, NJ on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, followed by burial in St. Paul's Cemetery, Princeton.

Visiting hours are Monday (2/14/11) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the funeral home and Tuesday from 10:00am until the time of the service.