Barry Caleb Sparks of Troy, MO (formerly of Des Moines, Iowa) passed away June 14, 2023 at the age of 87 years.

Born January 12, 1936 to Henry Sylvester and Helen Lucille (Thomas) Sparks in Des Moines, Iowa; he married Marilyn Joan Morgan on November 4, 1955 and were married 58 years before her passing in 2014.  To this union they have one daughter, Lynn (Sparks) Reuther and one son, Kelly Sparks.

Barry grew up in the "valley" of south Des Moines, just off Fleur Drive.  He spent many youthful hours playing with family and friends at the Des Moines Water Works swimming and fishing in the Racoon River and reservoirs there.  He attended Jefferson Elementary School and Lincoln High School.  He worked for Wheeler's Lumber, Gateway Transportation, MaislinTransportation, and AGI.  He took great pride in his truck driving and always, always, always would let people know how many miles he drove.  Barry was a proud member of Teamster's Local147 and served on the Teamster's board as Trustee.

His great passion was helping family, friends, and neighbors with anything.  He truly was a jack of all trades.  He worked on the pit crew for Bill Davis Racing at the dirt track off of Vandalia Rd. and at the track at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

His legacy may be all the fudge he made and shared in the city of Troy with businesses and friends or his black walnut cracking in his garage (he loved doing this as a winter time filler).

He was preceded in death by his wife, father, mother, sister Pat (Sparks) Vincent, brother Henry Sparks, and sister Nancy Sparks.

Survivors are daughter Lynn (Robert) Reuther, son Kelly Sparks, grandchildren Breck (Jessica) Reuther,  Benjamin (Brittney) Reuther, Tanner (Keely) Sparks, Kelsey (Colby Smith) Sparks, and Brenden (Kayla) Reuther, and eight great-grandchildren Easton, Parker, Waylon, Kayden, Madeline, Trace, Bennett, and Ozzy, one brother Ed (Oral) Sparks and wife Pat of Indianola, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Per his request, no services are scheduled.  Cremation is under the guidance of McCoy Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1304 Bone St., Troy, MO.

Donations may be made to Grow With Eolia, Inc. for veterans sign board  to be placed in the Village of Eolia. c/o the funeral home

Family and friends are invited to sign our online guest registry at: www.mccoyblossomfh.com

Family and Friends may sign the online guest book @www.mccoyblossomfh.com