Leon Sparks

(Obituary to be published as my last request, Love Dad)

Leon Keith Sparks October 12, 1925 – October 24, 2016, passed peacefully due to natural causes at 10:03 am on Monday, October 24, 2016 at Hope West Hospice in Grand Junction, CO

Leon, or “Sparky” as many knew him, was born to LaMar F. and Grace Marie Weller Sparks in Decatur, IL on October 12, 1925.  He lived and attended school in Decatur until the beginning of WW-II, where he then enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

He served on board of the Frigate USS Dearborn PF-33 in the North Atlantic and later on the Troop Transport USS Mintaka AK-94 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

After being honorably discharged from the service in January of 1946, Leon worked as a laborer until he was apprenticed as a combination communications and power cable splicer.  This would lead him to traveling extensively throughout the U.S. and Central America with several utility contractors, including the Panama Canal Company for the Electrical Division, out of both the Balboa and Cristobal field offices.

“Sparky” would then begin his new career with the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in Colorado Springs, CO as a construction cable splicer in April of 1954.  He would retire after almost 30 years of service with the company in December of 1983 in Grand Junction, CO as an Assignment Center Supervisor.

He and Ethel Alice Biddell were married on June 24th, 1957 in Monte Vista, CO.  She preceded him in death on April 20th, 1992.  They had lived together in Colorado Springs, Dillon, Leadville, Salida, Canon City, and Grand Junction during his years with the telephone company.

Mr. Sparks was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers and was also very active in the Credit union movement, having served on several committees with three different Credit Unions spanning over 45 years.  After his retirement from the phone company he became a volunteer at the Grand Junction Veterans Hospital repairing oxygen concentrators for the Cardiopulmonary Department and later as a stockman in the Sterile Processing and Distribution Department (S.P.D.).  Due to Macular Degeneration he took a second retirement from volunteering and was credited with 11 years and 10,000 hours of volunteer service.

His wonderful wife, Ethel of 35 years, and his only brother, LaMar J. Sparks, preceded him in death.  Surviving him is a daughter, Ila Marie Voyles of Colorado Springs, CO. Sons, LaMar F. Sparks of Grand Junction, CO and Alan Keith Sparks of Milwaukee, WI.  10 grand-children and 32 great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no services at his own request.  Memorials may be made in  his honor to the Hope West Hospice of Grand Junction and condolences can be made at  www.brownscremationservice.com