Roger was raised on a farm east of Dalton, riding horses, hunting, swimming in the dam and helping his siblings throughout the years. Roger attended school in Dalton and was active in football and Golden Glove Boxing in Sidney during his high school years, quitting school to join the Army, where he was on active duty from 1963-1966 and was honorably discharged in 1969.

He later obtained his GED.

Roger married Cherre DeHaven in January 1967 and welcomed their daughter Diana in July of 1967. Roger held various jobs in his younger years, working for Muhr’s Skelly gas station, Lyman Richie Sand & Gravel, and ultimately started working for Frank Krantz and learning the cement contracting business, in which he eventually started on his own as Sparks Concrete, being self-employed for 50 years. Roger and Cherre divorced in 1989.

Roger enjoyed sharing his love for hunting, fishing with Diana, his grandchildren, family and friends. His highlight in life was becoming a grandpa and later great-grandpa. Roger never knew a stranger, loved visiting with people and had a strong work ethic.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, 2 granddaughters and special friend Lucy Gipfert.

Roger is survived by his daughter Diana Sparks; grandsons J.D. (Amber) Richards, Joseph (Jessica) Richards and Justin Richards; great-granddaughters, Jordyn, Jaidyn, Jaycee and Alexis; siblings, LeRoy (Ted) Sparks, Scarlett Howe, Neil Sparks,Tamara Phillips, Ron Sparks, Bonnie Hutchinson and NancyYeager; stepson Todd (Cody) Eichthaler and their children; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Funeral services were held on April 22, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport; interment followed at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery in Bridgeport with military honors. Fond memories and condolences maybe left at www. bridgeportmemorialchapel. com for the Sparks family.