Julian Marlin Sparks

Julian Marlin Sparks, 79, of Greenville and Boca Raton, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. Mr. Sparks was born June 30, 1930, in Muhlenberg County in the city of Earles to the late Charles Martin Sparks and Bessie B. Stewart Sparks. Mr. Sparks was the owner-operator for more than 45 years of Sparks Nursing Center in Central City, Belle Meade Nursing Home in Greenville, Brookfield Manor Nursing Home in Hopkinsville, as well as Royal Manor Nursing Home in Nicholasville. Previous to Mr. Sparks’ starting his own businesses, he was the credit manager at Ruby Lumber Co. in Madisonville. Mr. Sparks was a member of First Baptist Church in Central City, charter member of Central City Country Club and member of the Royal Palm Improvement Association in Boca Raton. Mr. Sparks was a pioneer of the modern nursing home industry and devoted his life to the health and welfare of his residents and dedicated staffs. He was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities for distinguished service and excellence of care. Mr. Sparks is survived by his son, Marlin and wife Vicki Sparks of Danville, as well as son Greg and wife Ann Sparks of Greenville; grandchildren Troy and wife Amy Sparks of Danville, Beau and wife Brooke Sparks of Central City, Jill and husband Chris Brown of Stanford, Ben and wife Blake Sparks of Richmond; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nell Cornette of Greenville. Services are at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City, with the Rev. Bob Lowery officiating. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery in Central City. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy should be made to Central City First Baptist Church or American Heart Association. Services are private. Tucker Funeral Home, Central City, is in charge of arrangements.