Richard "Rick" Van Sparks

Rick Sparks, 77, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 27th. 

Born on April 6, 1949, in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, Rick was the son of the late Steve and Ethel Sparks. Rick is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Patrick (Susan); granddaughters, Sydney and Blake; his sister, Brenda Price; his beloved doxie, Ava; and a sister-in-law, Carlotta Wiggins. Additionally, he is survived by nieces and nephews Robin White, Stephanie Conley, Kim Hoyes, Zan Wiggins, Gil Wiggins, and Rob Wiggins. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Steve, Phil, and Rex, his sister Peggie Dennie, and his doxies, Gretchen, Fraulein, Heidi, and Rusty.

The family would like to give a special thank you to his loyal caregiver, Shevis Bryant, and the staff at Myrtle Beach Manor. 

From a young age, Rick learned the value of hard work. Upon graduating from high school in Spruce Pine, he moved to Charlotte, NC, where he attended Central Piedmont Community College and worked at UPS.  

After graduating from CPCC, Rick's love of cars led to a lifelong career in the car business.  While working as the Used Car Manager at Folger Buick, he met his mentor and future business partner, Spencer Folger. In 1982, the pair purchased Folger Toyota, formerly Toyota of Myrtle Beach, and Rick relocated to manage the dealership.  They were partners until  Mr. Folger's death in1992, when Rick purchased the dealership and renamed it Sparks Toyota. Rick especially loved the used car side of the business and had a keen eye for finding and procuring inventory for the dealership.  His passion, work ethic, and eye for opportunity were driving forces behind the dealership's remarkable growth over the years.  Today, Sparks Toyota has over 150 employees and is one of the largest automobile dealerships in South Carolina. 

Rick never forgot where he came from, valuing hard work and remaining deeply grateful for the success it brought him.  He admired and appreciated the team at Sparks Toyota and often remarked that they worked with him, not for him. 

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Rick’s Life at 5:00 pm on Thursday, July 2nd at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club, 9000 N. Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572. The family will greet friends following the service.

Rick had a soft spot for all animals, but he had a special love for dogs. He often stated he had met people he didn’t care for, but never a dog he didn’t like. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Grand Strand Humane Society, 3241 Mr. Joe White Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, or First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 70127, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572.

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