Christopher Sparks

On May 3, 1984 in Harlingen, Texas, a fair-haired, third-generation farmer was born -and make no mistake: Christopher Sparks was born a farmer. Before he could walk, he began to learn the fields and backroads while strapped into his car seat in a farm truck. He steered tractors from his dad’s lap when his legs weren’t long enough to reach the pedals, and he knew how to set a seed drill before he could read. He took tremendous pride in the family farm, and he was particularly enamored with its tractors, so much so that he absconded with the keys out of every single John Deere parked at SRS Farms’ headquarters when he was little more than a toddler.

Chris had an amazing vision for making things grow. He started farming dryland cotton, corn, sesame, and grain sorghum in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties in 2009 and continued to develop CJ Farms into the successful endeavor that it is today. He expanded his operation to include Briggs Coleman Seed Co., an independent Pioneer Seed agency that serves local farmers. Chris also served as chairman on the Cameron County Farm Service Agency Board, the Cameron County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and as the chairman for the Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. He also served on the Texas Farm Credit Nominating Committee and completed the Texas Farm Credit Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Program. He and his wife, Laura, served together as Presidents of the Alogodon Club to promote the Rio Grande Valley’s thriving cotton industry.

Chris had a passion for farming and all things agriculture, and the farm was his Heaven on Earth. On family travels, Chris delighted in visiting local farms and learning about their crops and farming techniques. He shared this passion with his son, Jack. More than anything, his pride and joy was Jack. Their collections of pocketknives and green tractors are fascinating. Chris was also a master at the BBQ pit and loved grilling steaks and fajitas any chance he could.

Chris is survived by his son, Jack Christopher Sparks; his wife, Laura Carey Sparks; his sister, Sable Sparks; his father, John Sparks; grandmother, Seanne Sparks; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; his nephew, Liam Lopez (Sable); and the entire Carey family, who loved him as their own.  He is preceded in death by his mother, Cherry Sparks; grandfather, Sam Sparks; maternal grandparents, Malcolm and MaryAnn Adams; and his cousin, Josh Koonce.

A memorial service will be held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00 am for friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Chris may be made to the Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Scholarship Fund at texasfarmbureau.org or The Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen 1209 W Washington Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550.