James Sparling

James H. Sparling, age 84 years, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, September 2, 2006, following a lingering illness. He was born November 5, 1921 in Bad Axe, the son the of late William Jennings & Helen Elise (Horton) Sparling. He and his parents moved to Caro in 1934 from Imlay City. He graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1940. He held the distinction of being the first male cheerleader at Caro High School. With war looming, Jim tried to enlist in the Army twice in early 1942, and was turned down both times because of poor eyesight. In August of 1942 he was drafted. He was assigned to the Military Police CID with the 41st Division to lead a squad of language specialists to interrogate Japanese prisoners. He made five beachhead landings beginning at Finchhaven, then Lae, Hollandia and finally Leyte and on to Luzon in the Philippines. He was awarded 5 Bronze Battle Stars and two Purple Hearts. Following his discharge in January of 1946, he returned to Caro, taking a position with the Detroit Edison Co for the next six years. In 1952 he began selling Allstate Insurance in Caro, retiring in 1986. During that time, he earned many awards including the top county agent of the company for three years, 29 years as an Allstate Honor Ring agent and a Life Member of the Millionaires Club. Jim was a man of high energy and many interests that included being a member of the Caro United Methodist Church; a life member and Past Master of the Caro Mt Moriah Lodge #226 F. the Caro Chapter R.A.M. # 96; a 58 year member of the Caro American Legion Post #7; a founder of the Jack Taylor Scholarship Fund; a charter member of the Caro Jaycees and Past President of the Caro Exchange Club; 43 year member and past President of the Caro Rotary Club, and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Rotary Foundation Award. Jim was a member of the committee that established the Caro Community Hospital Foundation as well as being a former chairman and member of the Caro Community Hospital Board for 15 years. For several years, Jim was the chairman of the Tuscola County Republican Party and was awarded the Republican of the Year award in 1974. Some of Jims energy went into writing a weekly column for the Tuscola County Advertiser as well as other papers from 1989 to 2004. Jim was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Pumpkin Festival in 1977 and also selected as the Caro Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1999. When Jim had some time off, he enjoyed a good game of Euchre, playing golf, going fishing with his wife and working at home on home improvements. Some of his handyman jobs were more successful than others. Jim married the former Evelyn R. Stone on September 4, 1948 in Caro at the Methodist Church. Surviving besides his wife of 58 years are four children and their spouses, Beth L. & John Vanda of Charlottesville, VA, James M. Sparling of Gaylord, MI, Janelle & Perry Baranic of Caro, Michael & Susan Sparling of Sterling Heights; nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren; one sister & her husband, Janet Elise & Dr. Andrew Schnitzler of New Milford, CT and many nieces and nephews.