CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former West Virginia Council of Churches Executive Director Rev. Dennis Sparks will be remembered in funeral services this weekend.
Sparks, 68, died earlier this week after an extended illness.
He was a fixture at the state capitol during legislative sessions making his feelings known on a variety of issues including children, the environment and health care.
Sparks traveled to the scene of tragedies to help comfort families including the Sago, Aracoma and UBB coal mining tragedies.
Sparks retired from the Council of Churches in 2011 and then became a minister in the Christian Church Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ in West Virginia and Southeastern Ohio.