I, Tyrone Sparkman, a lifelong resident of Warren County, am announcing my bid for re-election as 5th District County Commissioner of Warren County.

I was born and raised on a farm in the Oakland community. That’s where I learned the value of hard work, common sense, efficiency and integrity. I attended Warren County schools and graduated from McMinnville City High School.

Being active in sports allowed me to letter in football all four years. I received the honor of being chose as Most Athletic and received the Sportsmanship Award and the Love-Cantrell Sportsmanship Award. Involvement in sports taught me the importance of teamwork and collaborating to accomplish a goal.

Following graduation, I was employed at Century Electric until June 1966. I was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. I served 13 months on the DMZ in Korea. I was promoted to the rank of sergeant and received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Rifle Medal, and Expert Infantryman Medal.

I served actively until 1968 when I received an honorable discharge. I was honored to serve my country during a time of war and am proud to be an American veteran.

Following my tour with the U.S. Army, I returned to Century Electric and later accepted a position with Carrier Corporation where I remained until 2005 when the plant closed.

I have been blessed to share the majority of my life and 56 years of marriage with my wife, Treva Pendergraph Sparkman. We did not have children but Treva and I cared for her sister, Kathy Pendergraph, who had special needs, until Kathy’s death in 2014.

Throughout my life I have been lucky to serve my community in various ways. I am an active member of McMinnville First Baptist Church, a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of American Legion, a Mason and Shriner.

In 2010, I served with the Tennessee Disaster Relief Program as a volunteer assisting with tornado-damaged communities in East Tennessee. In 2012, I had the privilege to serve on a mission trip to Ecuador where a church was built and our team helped with distribution of Samaritan Purse shoeboxes.

Over the last two years I have had the honor and pleasure of representing the 5th District.

I would appreciate the continued opportunity to make Warren County a great place to live. If re-elected, I pledge to continue to serve the 5th District with integrity, intelligence and dependability. Your vote for Tyrone Sparkman in the Democratic Primary on May 1, and the General Election in August, is appreciated.