John David Sparrow

John David Sparrow of Allentown, PA, formerly of Paterson, NJ, transitioned peacefully on May 23, 2017. Born December 24, 1937 to the late William David Sparrow and Marie Barnes Sparrow of Suffolk, VA. John was one of seven children born from that union (Bertha, Lucille, William, Fred, Willie Mae and Princess).John was educated in the Suffolk School system in Nansemond County, VA., where he was a stellar athlete in basketball and football. In 1956, he met and married Claudia Anthony and in 1961, moved to Paterson, NJ to seek better opportunities to raise their children. John was a devoted father to his five children, Johnetta, Rory, Shernita, Cassandra and Edward. He was a household leader that taught his children to love and respect all. He was also a man that loved God and was a member of the Greater Bethel (Paterson, NJ) and Refuge Temple (New York, NY) churches.While in Paterson, he was employed by Stephen Chemical, PSE&G, and Fisher Scientific. He waas known for his larger than life presence, his kindness, sense of humor, love of people and that "infamous Cowboy Hat" of his. John loved his family and there wasn't a child in his community that would not come to him for fatherly advice and gauidance, which he embraced and gave with great pride.He was a quick study and a "Jack of All Trades". He believed that there wasn't anything he couldn't fix and could be seen working tirelessly on his house or his cars.John was an avid sportsman and fan. He played basketball, football, baseball, and loved to bowl. He often bowled a "Perfect Score" (300). He enjoyed watching his "Dallas Cowboys" and New York Knicks. One fo his proudest moments was when his very on son, Rory became a member of the NBA and his beloved Knicks. He was a regular at Madison Square Garden and often rivaled Walt Fraizer for the most "blamboyantly" dressed.John leaves behind to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy his beloved wife Barbara (Hadley) Sparrow. Siblings, Bertha Taylor (John), Lucille Dildy, William Sparrow (Miriam) and Fred Sparrow (Jerry); five children, Johnetta Sparrow, Rory Sparrow, Shernita Copper (Gerald), Cassandra Sparrow and Edward Sparrow; daughters-in-law, Jacqui Sparrow and Shertina Sparrow; stepchildren, Mark Brown and Tiffany Jones; eight grandchildren, Kenneth Sparrow, Jaques Sparrow, Stephon Sparrow, Rory Jr., Malik Copper, Aliyah Cooper, Jayallen Turner, Christian Sparrow and Javon Brown.A graveside service will be held 12:00 noon Thursday, June 1, 2017 in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John David Sparrow, please visit our flower store.