FAIRBORN — Dr. Kenneth Gray Sparling, age 92 of Fairborn passed away peacefully to be with our Lord on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Hospice of Dayton after a short illness. He was born on August 7, 1923 in Kirksville, MO the son of the late Gerald Alfred and Ada (Gray) Sparling. He moved to Chicago at the age of 10 along with his mother, brother James, and twin brother, Donald, all who preceded him in death. He graduated from Tilden Technical High School, and in 1942 at the age of 19 was sworn into the Enlisted Reserve Corps for flight training. He attended pilot training in Alabama and Georgia and received his silver wings in 1943. During World War II, he flew more than 70 missions in the B-25 Mitchell over Italy and southern France. He was discharged from service in 1945 as a First Lieutenant in the inactive Reserve. He then took advantage of the G.I. Bill, attending the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, graduating in May 1948. He began practicing optometry in Lebanon, MO and was married to his wife of 67 years, Patti (Jones) Sparling on May 29, 1949. He re-entered the Air Force in January 1950 and ultimately retired as a Lieutenant Colonel at Wright Patterson Air Force Base on May 31, 1968. He then set up his private optometry practice in the Fairborn area where he served the community until retiring in 1994 at age 71. He was a long-time member and Deacon Emeritus at the First Baptist Church of Fairborn as well as a life-time member of the Fairborn Lions Club. He was also a member of the American Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, and an avid Bengals fan. He is survived by his beloved wife Patti Sparling, sons: Tim (Deverne), Mark (Roxanne), and Paul (Karen), and daughters: Lori (David) Gross, Leslie (Terry) Justus, LeeAnne Sparling, and Kristin Sparling. He is survived by 14 grandchildren: Matthew (Susan), Nicole Weber, Philip (Leah), James, Thomas (Krista), Ashley, Natalie, Kenneth, Katelyn Gross, Helen Gross, Sarah (Matt) Wilhelm, Nathan (Julie) Justus, Andrew Justus, and Tyler. He is survived by 11 great grandchildren: Hayden & Carson Sparling, Rebecca, James, & Claire Weber, Aven Sparling, Faith & Presley Scott, Logan Ball, and Conner & Grayson Wilhelm. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday June 13, 2016 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday June 14, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church Fairborn, 1167 Highview Dr., Fairborn with the Reverend Ron Plemons officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Fairfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Dayton or the First Baptist Church building renovation fund. Condolences may be made to the family at www.BeltonStroup.com.