David William Sparrow

David Sparrow peacefully left the earth May 13, 2018 surrounded and touched by his entire family. He was born in Ohio and loved the family farm, Ohio’s four seasons, and its winter snow.His grandma and grandpa Sparrow were his loving role models.After graduating from El Camino High School, one day he walked all the way from North Highlands to Downtown Sacramento, determined to join the United States Navy.He qualified for the submarine service and was assigned to the Pacific fleet. His submarine was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. During his time in the Navy, he met his adoring wife Diana of 53 years in a Lutheran Church in West Sacramento. They met through mutual friends. After a year and three months they were married in that same church.After a couple of years they started a family, and were blessed with four daughters, Deborah, Dawn, Deidre, and Denae.After his first two daughters were born, David attended Sacramento City College and then went on to become a plumber/pipefitter with the Sacramento Local 447. He attended plumbing school for 5 years while working full time as a plumber/pipefitter apprentice.During those 5 years two more daughters were born. In 1976 they were excited to buy their first home in Rancho Cordova and raised their children in a friendly and peaceful neighborhood full of true friends.This is where they have remained for the past 42 years. David loved the American River and its bike trail, fishing, camping, gold panning, but most of all his family outings. Years later, his family grew, and he had the joy of 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, Dayna, Elisea, Rebecca, Alora, Zachary, Gabriel, Garrett, Maddux, and Beau. His extended family also includes Mitchell, Scott, Dan, Randy, Darrick, Brandon, Stephen, Gabe, Alan, and Bri. His family will always remember his qualities as “loving, devoted, honest, principled and moral, hard-working, patient, brave, dependable, humble and selfless, being humorous, comforting, accepting and nonjudgmental, fun, being an artisan, charismatic, kind hearted, a mentor, and strong beyond belief.” David was a Christian who believed in God and trusted in Jesus despite everything he had been through. We will all miss him tremendously, but his legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Our family would like to thank the Sutter Medical Community for their care and support through many years. Also, we are extremely grateful to all blood and platelet donors for their life giving gift.In lieu of flowers please make donations in David’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.