Monday, November 19, 2012

Dennis O. "Sparky" Sparks WB4NVB, SK

The Net was saddened to learn of the passing of Dennis O. "Sparky" Sparks of Maryville, TN.

WB4NVE served his country in the USAF, NASA, and as a researcher at ORNL.

The following is from his www.qrz.com profile; http://www.qrz.com/db/WB4NBE

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1961-1970: NASA MISSION CONTROL, CAPE CANAVERAL  SPACE CRAFT COMMUNICATIONS FOR MERCURY, GEMINI, AND APOLLO PROGRAMS. FLIGHT CONTROLLER NCS CONSOLE FOR NASA WORLD WIDE COMMUNICATION NETWORK.

1970-PRESENT: OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY, RF ENGINEER, STAR WARS, FUSION ENERGY, NASA MANNED MISSION TO MARS AND PLASMA ROCKET PROGRAMS.                                                                    
U.S. PATENT #5867020 - Cap coupled rf voltage probe with optimized flux linkage.
U.S. PATENT #5834931 - RF Current Sensor

FULL COLONEL IN USAF AUX/CAP RET. FLEW SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS FOR 30 YR. SERVED AS DIR. OF OPERATIONS FOR 10 YR AND WING COMMANDER FOR THE STATE OF TENNESSEE FOR 4 YEARS.
HOBBIES: HAM RADIO, FLYING A/C, CIVIL WAR COLLECTOR
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Below is the link to the funeral home obituary, online guestbook, service time, etc:
http://www.mccammonammonsclick.com/obits.html

Dennis O. Sparks, age 71, died Sunday, November 18, at his home.  A Blount County native and a 1959 graduate of Maryville High School, he was preceded in death by his parents, Olan and Mary Charles Sparks and daughter-in-law, Melissa Sparks.

Survivors include wife of 34 years, Adele K. Sparks; children, Angie (Phil) Menken, Dennis Sparks, Jr., Chris Conner, Bo (Treva) Conner and Adele Conner; grandchildren, David and Olivia Blankenbeckler, Britany and Joe (Tiffany) Menken, Megan, Carmen and Christopher (Kimberly) Conner, and Misty Daniels and 10 great grandchildren.

A man of many accomplishments, his 8 year employment with NASA in Titusville, FL and a 42 year career with ORNL, Oak Ridge, in Research and Development enabled him to be a part of history and amazing technology discoveries.  Dennis was a 35 year member of Civil Air Patrol as an air rescue pilot, and achieved the rank of Colonel during his tenure as Tennessee Wing Commander.  He was a life-long ham radio operator, call sign Wb4nbe.  Other hobbies included photography, pontoon boating, travel, volunteering for Alzheimer’s, TN Association (where he took great pride serving as “Grill Master” of the annual Foothills Memory Walks each fall at Maryville College), and giving unconditional love and support to his extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 23rd at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home from 5-7:00 p.m.  A graveside service will be conducted by Rev. Jeff Wadley at Old Mt. Tabor Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 24th.  The funeral procession will depart McCammon-Ammons-Click at 10:30 a.m.

- text of obituary from funeral home


W4HKL

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