Robert Dee Sparks (Bob), age 63, peacefully passed away on June 21st in Montpelier, ID, after a courageous hard fought battle with cancer with his loving family at his side.
Bob was born on November 4, 1954 in Montpelier, ID, to William Dean and Thella King Sparks. He was the third of six children born to this union.
Bob grew up in Dingle, ID, on a ranch operated by his father and grandfather. He learned the value of working hard as a young boy and carried this work ethic throughout his life.
Bob attended elementary school in Dingle and then on to junior high in Paris. He graduated from Bear Lake High School in 1973. Bob continued his education at ISU in the welding program and received his certificate in 1974.
His first job after completing college was for Mark III in Soda Springs. He worked there until he was hired by Monsanto in 1986 and was currently employed there.
Bob was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had been ordained an elder.
He met Mickie Smith and they were married in Georgetown on June 6, 1975. Five beautiful children were born to this union. They recently celebrated their 43rd anniversary.
Throughout his school years, he was involved in many activities. He was an outstanding athlete and enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, football, track and even the rodeo side by riding bulls and saddle broncs. Those that played and were even just watching knew what an outstanding athlete he was at whatever it was he was playing at the time.
He grew to love the outdoors and what it provided. He loved fishing, trapping and hunting of all kinds. His greatest love was bear and mountain lion tracking and chasing with his hounds. One could say he was a true mountain man.
Through his years of hunting he gained what one might call an addiction. He eventually had a backyard full of walker hounds that were used for the chasing of mountain lions and bears. He went every chance he could go with a hunger in his eyes and a smile on his face. He was usually the first one to the tree with the dogs to see the bear or cat treed.
Being together as a family was his desire and his happy place. He loved his family and enjoyed teaching them his many skills in a seriousness or jokingly manner. He had many talents and a very particular way of how things were to be done. He loved spending time with family, friends, and coworkers. He loved to have fun and enjoyed playing pranks and teasing others. His greatest joy was his kids and grandkids. He loved them and was proud them. He especially enjoyed attending the sporting events his grandkids participated in and he would share little ‘coaching tips’ with them.
He loved his ‘hobby’ of raising purebred Black Angus cattle. He was member of the Idaho Cattle Association and the American Angus Association. His herd of cattle were his pets. He was called the animal ‘whisperer’ by his kids. He also enjoyed his horses, mule and dogs. He loved animals and truly had a way of interacting with them.
Through his career at Monsanto, he moved into a supervisor role, but that didn’t stop him from getting dirty and right in the middle of the work to be done. He was a hard worker and was always waiting for some to say ‘You can’t fix or weld that’ when something broke. Coworkers working with him would cringe knowing what the task at hand detailed. “Bob-o” was going to show them he could and would get it fixed or welded. The hotter and dirtier the better. The welding hood and tools were on standby waiting for the ‘You can’t’ to be said.
He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Many great memories that were made have been left with those he loved.
Bob is survived his wife Mickie, a son Danny Sparks (Samantha), a daughter Bobette Christensen (Gary), a son Jason Sparks (Jessica) and a son Robby Sparks (Jordyn); four sisters, LaDeen Wright, Carol Sparks (Harold), Doreen Kline and Ann Grigsby. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren with another grandson on the way, also numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Thella, his grandparents, mother in law (Evelyn Hoff), father in law (Neil Smith), brother (Jimmy), son (Billy) and sister in law (Debbie Young).
Bob, you are dearly loved and will be greatly missed by those left behind.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday June 27th at 12:00 p.m. in the Georgetown LDS church. Friends may call at the church Tuesday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m and on Wednesday from 10:00 am. to 11:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Dingle Cemetery.