Edison Sparks

Edison “Ed” Sparks, 92, died in Long Beach on May 22, 2017, surrounded by those who he loved and they loved him. The second of eight children born to John and Minnie (Cox) Sparks, he was born in Mitchell, North Carolina on January 30, 1925. Early on, Ed learned the values which shaped his life: family, hard work, faith and music. He began working in the local fields at an early age and on November 6, 1948 married Zella Thomas. Soon thereafter they moved from North Carolina to Orange county, California. There they raised their family of two daughters and Ed was employed as a mechanic and for 16 years as supervisor at Ace Rubber Co. Ed also found time to pursue his love of music. He learned to play guitar by ear (he made his first one at age 8!) and was a member of a band which played on the Sun Country television show and also at The Palamino in California. Sharing music with family and friends was an essential part of Ed's life. In 1978 while visiting Washington state Ed fell in love with the Peninsula. He purchased the Aloha Court in Seaview which he operated for a number of years. Following the death of Zella he married Marian Nicholson in 1982. Ed sold the motel and became a partner in Sparks Automotive in Seaview for a time. Besides music he enjoyed raising honey bees. Ed was blessed with a sparkle in his eyes, a tune in his heart and a wonderful personality which attracted many friends. He seldom let life's challenges (and there were many) get the best of him and was often heard to say “I can't cry about it; what would that help?”. His perseverance and strong values endured him. Ed is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Pat and Mike Scruggs; grandson Dennis Davidson and wife Leandra; great-grandsons Landon and Levi Edison; sisters Elsie McKinney Gladys Pittman; brothers A.G., Arvil and Art Sparks. He was preceded in death by his daughter Shirley. Memorial service will be Sat., June 3, 2017, 1:00 PM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea with a reception following. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.