Paul E. Sparks Sr., my dad passed away this morning, 7-17-08 in the V.A. Hospital, Salem, Va. He taught me everything I know about driving trucks and not sweating the little things in life that we have no control over. Poppa, who's gonna call me now at 5:00 in the morning and wake me up like you always did? All the good advice you gave me through the years I still remember. I just lost my best friend this past Febuary and now you're gone too. I'm sorry for not being there this morning with you when you departed; Mom tried her best to get ahold of me but I was went to bed about 8:00, I felt exhausted when I got back from GBO. Please forgive me for taking you to the hospital 3 weeks ago against your wishes but I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. The doctors said that you would come home friday because you were doing so much better and it was all you talked about. So long Dad.