Gregory E Sparks was born March 3, 1937, in Montpelier, Idaho to Emmett and Maythel Sparks. He passed away June 15, 2023, in Montpelier, Idaho.
Greg was raised in Dingle with his two older sisters, Audrey and Peggy, and many cousins who became his best friends. Greg was a talented athlete in his youth and was known throughout the region as a top pitcher in fastpitch softball. Following high school, Greg spent time in Great Falls, Montana and served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 in Okinawa, Japan.
Upon his return to the Bear Lake Valley, he met and married Jolene Wilkes on January 20, 1962, in Soda Springs, Idaho. Jolene says he was the best-looking guy she ever saw, and it was love at first sight. They would go on to have two sons, Travis G and Tad Emmett, who they would raise in Montpelier. Greg lived on Montpelier’s 6th Street for 61 years and could often be seen helping his neighbors with yard work or relaxing on his porch in his later years.
Greg spent his life working as a millwright in the area’s phosphate industry. He was an avid snowmobiler, ATV rider, hunter, and fisherman, and through these activities he spent many hours mentoring his sons and teaching them valuable life lessons. Camping with family and friends occupied his summers, where he entertained all with colorful stories and anecdotes. In retirement, he found joy in reading starting with The Work and The Glory series and was a frequent visitor to the Bear Lake County Library.
He is survived by his wife Jolene Sparks, sons Travis (Jean) Sparks and Tad (Lisa) Sparks, and his five grandchildren: Hailey Sparks, Whitney Moser (Justin Bair), Lyndsay (Dewayne) Lewis, Chase (Kelsie) Sparks, and Sari Sparks. In more recent years, he has found great joy with his great grandchildren: Skye Key, Garrett Moser, Kane Sparks, Quinn Lewis, Sanders Sparks, Fallynn Lewis, Mackrae Bair, and Collins Sparks. He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Maythel, his in-laws Cless and Harriet Wilkes, and his sisters and their husbands, Audrey (Bob) Spencer and Peggy (Bud) Camp. We know that he has also been reunited with many other family members and friends who played such an important role in his life.
The family would like to thank all those who acted as a friend or helper to Greg throughout his life. We can’t wait until we meet again and hear Grandpa say, “Where have you beeeen?!?”
Funeral Services will be at the Montpelier 5th Ward Building on Wednesday, June 21st at 12:00 with a viewing from 10:30 to 11:45.
Military honors will be given by the VFW post number 3884 and interment will follow at the Montpelier cemetery.