Louisville, KY- A memorable moment of silence was held at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) for David Sparrow who passed away February 2, 2014.
David Sparrow’s involvement with NAILE began in 1974 when he volunteered to work for the beef show. In 1977, he became the superintendent of the dairy sector of the NAILE, and he remained in that position until his death. Harold Workman, Vice Chair of the Executive Committee, had known David Sparrow since he started volunteering in 1974.
Workman described him as a very positive, friendly, outgoing man. During the commemoration of David Sparrow’s work for NAILE, his wife, Linda Sparrow, said with emotion that David was looking down with a smile on his face. Sparrow had genuine passion for youth. He enjoyed watching them evolve from young children to mature, motivated adults. His wife described walking with him through barns at the
NAILE and he picked out what stalls were the cleanest.
Because of his involvement with youth, The Dairy Herdsmen Award has been renamed the David Sparrow Dairy Herdsmen Award. David Sparrow was involved in more than the North American International Livestock Exposition. He was a county extension agent for 4-H, the Assistant Dean of the University of Kentucky agriculture for thirty-six years, deacon in his church, received Danville Optimist Man of the Year Award and many other achievements.
Sparrow was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, May 27, 1944. He and Linda have two
daughters; Cassinda Bechanan, of Carlisle, Kentucky and Tabby Casey, of Eagan, Minnesota. Sparrow’s wife and daughter, Cassinda, were present at the NAILE commemoration. Linda Sparrow was presented with a photo montage of Sparrow during his activity at the North American International Livestock Exposition. David Sparrow will be remembered as a vital asset to the NAILE. His dedication and positive outlook on life will be an attribute worth recollecting.
Rachel Janovsky and Nicole Chance, Writers