John “Gary” Gary Sparks

John Gary Sparks, or Gary, as his friends knew him, was born November 27, 1948, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 20, 2025, after a period of failing health.

Gary was born to John and Yvonne Sparks of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was their only surviving child. His twin sister, Judy Sparks, died in utero, a loss that Gary felt throughout his life. Gary leaves behind his dear friends of many years Lila Markley of Summerfield, North Carolina and Cynthia Swartz, MD, of Montpelier, Vermont, both of whom closely assisted his work and writing and who supported him in his illness and death.  Also left behind are many college friends, Jungian friends and colleagues around the world, and members of his cherished Indianapolis Jung study group. Many of those in this group consistently participated in weekly classes for over 30 years and provided thoughtful consideration to the unfolding of his books and lectures.

Through his work as a Jungian analyst and teacher of Jungian psychology, Gary’s impact on the world was broad and deep. Much of his influence was within the individual, confidential bounds of soul work with his analysands and clients worldwide. A significant portion of his impact was through his public lectures, reading groups, and books, which he wished to be his lasting legacy. Inner City Books, founded by Jungian analyst, Daryl Sharp, has been instrumental in supporting and publishing Gary’s work.

Gary grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and attended Bucknell University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps and taught English in South Korea. Upon returning home, Gary attended the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley and was awarded a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in pastoral counseling. While in graduate school, he found his life calling, Jungian psychology. Gary moved to Switzerland to study at the C. G. Jung Institute of Zurich, graduated with his Diploma in Analytical Psychology in 1982, and became a life-long member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology. After eight years in Switzerland, he returned to the United States and set up his practice in Indianapolis, Indiana where he lived and worked for the next 40 years until his death.

In addition to his passion for Jungian psychology and the creative unconscious, Gary loved cooking, biking, walks on the beach, and tinkering in his workshop. He was a Ham radio buff and delighted in discovering new gadgets and working with computers. His creative endeavors included finding common ground between spirit and matter, rational science and the symbolic psyche, and between the individual and society, all of which he explored through his hobbies and writing. He enjoyed the quiet things in life: good food, good friends, and good conversation. His love for Zurich and all things European was evident to all who knew him, yet he felt the impact of his encounter with Korea throughout his life. Although his life took him around the world, his roots remained in Lancaster County, as evidenced by his waxing long about the amazing flavor of Lancaster County-grown celery.

Gary Sparks was a man who lived his singular life with integrity and commitment to the reality of the psyche and its innate healing capacity for the individual and the world. It is not often that one encounters an individual whose life calling was so clearly impressed upon him and who acted upon that calling with complete devotion. This was our Gary Sparks.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Cremation Society of Indiana, 4115 Shelby Street. Leave A Message or  Share A Memory.

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