James Sparkman Jr. ’52

Jim came to us from Gilman School, where he had gone for a year after graduating from New Rochelle (N.Y.) High School. He majored in economics and joined Cap and the Navy ROTC. He ran varsity track all four years, won the Keene Fitzpatrick Award, and roomed with Rollo Reed, Eric Vicarino, Carl Colyer, and John Sharon.

After graduation he joined the Navy and served as a lieutenant junior grade on a destroyer escort in the Atlantic Station Squadron until 1955. He tried Wall Street for a brief time, then worked for 10 years in the liquor business before moving to Manchester, Vt., where he spent the rest of his life. Jim started his own real estate business and took part in community efforts to manage commercial development and address environmental issues. A skilled runner, Jim continued many years of marathon and long-distance road running. He was nationally ranked in his age group.

Jim died Jan. 17, 2016, and was buried in the family cemetery in New Rochelle among his Huguenot ancestors. He leaves his son, Jamie, and other family members. The class says farewell and thanks Jim for his Navy service to our country.