Ronald Keith Sparks
Lifelong Chilkat Valley resident and former Haines and Sitka resident Ronald Keith Sparks died Sept. 11, 2009, at his home surrounded by his companion, Janet Ward, and family and friends. He was 72.
He was born Nov. 10, 1936, in Haines, to Mildred and William Sparks. Called Yahkunduutz, he was a Raven Gaanaxteidi from Yaa hit (Whale House) of Klukwan.
He was a basketball player, a musician, a journalist, a fisherman, a teacher, a father, a brother, devoted grandfather, uncle and cousin to the many Hotch family members of Klukwan.
He was a graduate of the Haines Public School System and received his BA in education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
He served on the Haines Borough Assembly, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and Klukwan, Inc. Ron was a member of the United Fishermen of Alaska, Lynn Canal Fishermen's Association, Sealaska Corp., Shee Atika, and Klukwan Inc.
He was proud of his role as a teacher for 24 years in the Sitka Public School System. His nephew, Bill Thomas, claims his uncle "Ronnie" was an impressionable teacher and was always impressed by the number of Sitka young people who proudly claimed "Mister Sparks" as their teacher.
His great occupational love was that of a fisherman and proud owner of the FV Memories. He spent many hours developing codes so that he could communicate the hot fishing spots to his father and later his fishermen sons.
Once retiring from the fleet, he spent hours listening to the fishermen chatter on the marine radio so that he could pass the hot fishing tips on to his sons!
Louie Meacock, his lifelong "partner" said that no matter where he was - Florida, Petersburg, Seattle - his telephone conversation always started with, "What's the weather like there?" Louie laughs with the story, that started with Ron's father, passed on to Louie's Father and then to Louie, of Ron's famous phone calls, "I just found a bargain for ... "
He would spend $20 on phone calls to save 5 cents on a halibut hook! He may have been frugal in his own life, but he was generous to family, friends and others in need. Ron will always be remembered for his love of a good joke, good food, laughter and keeping in touch with friends and family.
"Ronnie was top of the class in this world, no question about it," said his friend, Don Argetsinger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William "Bill" and Mildred Sparks; siblings, William "Butch" Sparks, Wesley Willard, Margaret Thomas and Evans Willard.
He is survived by his sons, Ronald "Skipper" Sparks and wife, Sabine, Evans Sparks and wife, Kim, and Curtis Sparks; daughter, Tina Anderson and husband, Nick; grandchildren, Evans II, William Ryan, Samantha Dawn and Rachel; wife, Janet Sparks; sister, Irene Sparks Rowan; brother, David Light; and many nieces and nephews.
As devoted companion, Janet Ward said, "family was everything to Ronnie."
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Haines Presbyterian Church followed by a gathering at the America Legion Hall.
Honorary pallbearers are Louie Meacock, Wayne Alex, Jerry Hestead, Bud Ivey, Mike Schwartz and Bob Shell. He chose to remain at his favorite fishing spot, Point Sherman.