Ronald Sparks

February 10, 1942 - January 26, 2014

Ronald Lee Sparks, a longtime Raymond resident died Sunday, January 26th peacefully at home with his family by his side after a five year battle with cancer. He was 71. Ron was born February 10, 1942 to Melvin James and Gaynell (Hunt) Sparks. He was a 1961 graduate of Willapa Valley High School and married his high school sweetheart, Marsha Lignoski on July 29th, 1963. They recently celebrated 50 years together; she survives him at the family home in Raymond. Ron worked for Howard Wood Shake Mill before his career with Weyerhaeuser from which he retired after 37 years in 2008. He enjoyed farming his cattle, hunting, fishing, clam digging, and spending time with his family and friends, especially sharing logging stories with his work crew. Ron was also a huge supporter of Willapa Valley Athletics. Ron is survived by his wife, Marsha, daughter Kimberly (Paul) Hines of Snohomish, a son Christopher Sparks of Graham, and a brother Ken (Betty) Sparks of Raymond; six grandchildren, Karissa Peters of Kenmore, Amber Hines of Raymond, Ally Hines of Bellingham, and Haylee Hines of Snohomish, Shay Sparks of Aberdeen and Rickey Sparks of Graham and four great grandchildren, Rylie, Macey, Ashtynn and Angel. Ron is also survived by several nieces and nephews, a brother-in-law, Michael (Patti) of Raymond and a sister-in-law, Carlene Heintz of Honolulu. He will be greatly missed by his loyal buddy Rudy, the dog. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Bonnie and Rita and a brother, Leonard. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Stoller\\'s Mortuary in Raymond with a potluck gathering to follow at Raymond Elks Lodge. Memorial donations may be made to the Willapa Harbor Helping Hands or the Willapa Valley Scholarship Fund.