Phillip Louis Sparks was born to Mary (nee Goodwin) and Louis Sparks in Linton, Indiana on August 17, 1945. He grew up in a nearby small Indiana town and married his sweetheart Tena Mae Whitis in 1965. Phil and Tena moved to Cincinnati where they made their home and raised their son, Scott.

Phil loved to be outside and enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and gardening as well as woodworking. He was an animal lover who loved his family pets dearly. He retired after over 30 years of faithful employment from Sears. He was also a longtime member of Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church.

He is the beloved husband of Tena (nee Whitis) Sparks; devoted father of Scott (Shelby) Sparks and dear grandfather of Garrett; friend and brother-in-law of Dennis (the late Rosetta) Freeman and sister-in-law of Loretta Allen; loving uncle of John (Connie) Figg, Louis Jerrell and David Jerrell; also survived by many good neighbors and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Mary, and his siblings, Tom Sparks, Joann Sparks and Janet Figg.

A visitation for Phil will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 9 am until time of funeral service at 11 am at Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church. Donations in Phil's memory may be made to the church at 11565 Pippin Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45231.