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Family and friends join funeral procession for Central Coast veteran

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Family and friends gathered Monday morning at Star Market in Salinas for the funeral procession of a veteran killed in a motorcycle crash.

The funeral procession, called "Ryan's Last Ride," was for Central Coast veteran Ryan Sparks.

“It's a great honor to be here to take him on his last ride," said Gilbert Bernabe, Sparks's friend.

Motorcycles and cars drove down Highway 68 and onto Highway 1 North to the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on the former Fort Ord site. Gilbert Bernabe met Sparks back in College. They were both in the veterans club at Hartnell College and became really close friends.

“He was loved," said Bernabe. "He touched a lot of lives and you know, they just want to show their support know, and what kind of a person was.”

Local law enforcement, the military’s patriot guard, American legion riders, motorcycle, and car clubs were present Monday showing love and support for Sparks and his family. In his passing, Sparks leave his wife Stephanie and two kids.

Eric Gates met Sparks through the American Legion Riders in Salinas. “Ryan was my friend, you should be so lucky to be able to call him that he was a good guy," said Gates. This, this, I hope, will give him a little closure.”

John Perales also worked with Sparks at Nations Finest. Sparks was very dedicated to helping fellow veterans, he said. He called him a true champion.

"He's left a big print on my heart, just to see how he cared for people cared for his fellow veterans," said Perales. "It's pretty emotional to be here, but also feels good to see everybody and just to see how many lives he touched."

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Jonathan Sarabia

Jonathan is a former multi-media journalist at KION News Channel 5/46.

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