GORDON SPARLING
Gordon D. Sparling, 71, formerly of Bellaire, OH, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021. He was born December 21, 1949, in Parkersburg, WV to the late Hillis and Josephine Sparling. Gordon retired from the U.S. Army having served for 22 years including two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated Airborne Ranger and Special Forces Green Beret having earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Valor. Gordon was a member of the Special Forces Association and was the 22nd person to be inducted into the Ohio Veteran’s Hall of Fame. He was proud to serve his country in the US Army. Gordon also retired from the US Postal Service and enjoyed traveling. He was a force to be reckoned with and considered himself a ladies man.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Dawn Marie Sparling and brother- in-law, Jeffrey Tiger. Gordon is survived by his children, Jennifer (Shannon) Sparling-McDonald, David Eugene Sparling, Caitrin Marie Sparling and Kiera Renee Sparling; grandchildren, Tyler Blake Sparling, Ashley Mikayla Sparling and Elliott Elayne Thomas; two great-grandchildren; sister, Tamara Jean Sparling-Tiger; brother, Stacey H. (Dr. Wendy) Sparling; numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, March 5, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at the Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home. Burial with military honors at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gordon’s name can be made to PKD Foundation, P.O. Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or plant a tree in his honor. www.swigarteasterlingfuneralhome.com, Swigart-Easterling, 330-854-2356