OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
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WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

GORDON SPARKS (1961-2022)

Gordon Sparks was born in 1961 to Mr Norman Henry Sparks and his wife, the former Miss Dorothy Alice Ruth Arthurs, of Barnstaple, who he married at Christ Church, Worthing, Sussex, on April 8th 1941.

His father was an Overseer in the General Post Office at Plymouth and the family lived at number 52 Chudleigh Road, Lipson, Plymouth.  It is believed that the young Gordon attended Tamar Central School.

He joined Hospital Radio as a presenter and later moved on to Plymouth Sound. 

Mr Gordon Sparks married Miss Heather Dawn Manning, of Honiton, on October 17th 1987 at the Ancient Parish Church of All Saints at Sparkwell (Sparks - Sparkwell, get it?).  They subsequently had two daughters, Miss Holly Lianne Sparks, born 1990, and Miss Kirsty Nikita Sparks, born 1994.

At some time around 1990 Gordon joined BBC Radio Devon to do their breakfast-time programme (the author was interviewed by him on two occasions).  He also started to report on Plymouth Argyle's matches and subsequently became known as 'The Voice of Argyle'.

Mr Gordon Sparks died of cancer at Saint Luke's Hospice, Turnchapel, Plymouth, on October 16th 2022.  A public funeral service was conducted by Plymouth Argyle Football Club's Chaplain, Mr Arthur Goode, at the Home Park Stadium, Devonport End, on Wednesday November 2nd 2022.  A private service was held afterwards for the family.

Borth his father, Mr Norman Henry Sparks (1917-2001), and his grandfather, Mr Ernest Henry Sparks (1889-1954), are recorded in Who was Who in Old Devonport - Surnames S.