After graduation from Ft. Payne High School, Sparks enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, in which he served as a member of the Honor Guard and in Search and Rescue. While serving in the Coast Guard, he received numerous commendations and letters of merit, including the Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in the Performance of Duty with Operational Distinguishing Device for saving passengers of an overturned sailboat from turbulent waters.

Upon completion of Coast Guard service, Sparks furthered his education via the G.I. Bill and graduated from Northeast Alabama Community College. In 1978, at the age of 24, he became one of the youngest county commissioners ever elected in the State of Alabama.

In 2003, Sparks was sworn in as the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. His grandmothers, always an important part of his life, held the Bible while he was sworn into office. In 2006 he won re-election to a second term in a landslide, winning 62 out of 67 counties.