John "Jack" Lang Sparrow, Sr., 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at his home in Delmar, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 21, 1928 in Delmar, a son of the late George W. Sparrow, Sr. and Lucy (Lang) Sparrow. Jack, as he was known by his family and friends, farmed most of his life, growing grains and raising cows, pigs and chickens. He worked for ESSCO for a number of years, installing poultry equipment before forming his own poultry equipment installation company. He was a member of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Delmar, a Past Master of the Delmar Masonic Lodge, 201 A.F. & A.M and a Past Worthy Patron of Delmar Order of the Eastern Star. He is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Virginia L. (Taylor) Sparrow; a daughter, Jackie Hearn and her husband, Roger of Delmar; two sons, John L. Sparrow, Jr. and his wife, Sandy of Delmar and Jeff Sparrow and his wife, Sue of Ashburn, VA; three grandchildren, Brian Hearn, Sr., Mathew Hearn and John D. Sparrow, all of Delmar; two great grandchildren, Brian Hearn, Jr. and Erika Hearn; and a sister, Genevieve Elliott of Mardela Springs. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, George Sparrow, Jr. and Billy Sparrow. A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street in Delmar on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a Masonic Service, which begins at 2:00. A funeral service will follow, officiated by The Reverend Marsha Carpenter. Interment will follow at Springhill Memory Gardens near Hebron. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 101 E. State Street, Delmar, DE 19940. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.