Theodore "Ted" Sparks

Theodore Sparks

Funeral service for Ted Sparks, county resident for nearly eight years, was held Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Niobrara County High School auditorium. He died last Thursday, Feb. 11, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver following open heart surgery.

Theodore Sparks was born March 27, 1935, at Thermopolis, the son of Bill and Mary Asay Sparks. He was reared and educated at Lovell. On October 16, 1954, he and Sharon Lee Chevalier were married at Cody. Ted was employed by Marathon Oil Company for 25 years beginning at Oregon Basin in the drilling department. He worked in the production department in various fields in the Cody district before transferring to the Casper district in 1974. The Sparks family moved to Lance Creek in April 1974 where he was foreman of the Lance Creek field for Marathon. The family later moved to Lusk and on September 1, 1980, Ted began working for Milestone Petroleum out of the Billings district office.

He was a member of the Elks Lodge of Thermopolis, the Masonic Lodge and the Church of Latter-day Saints. He was an honorary member of the Wild Cat Band of Thermopolis.

Laird Johnson, Bert Mangus, Keith Sparks and Dan Anderson officiated at the service. Randall Rose sang "Take My Hand Precious Lord", "Lord's Prayer" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee." Jocelyn Stoldt was organist.

Mr. Sparks is survived by his wife, Sharon of Lusk; four daughters, Mrs. DarrLea Johnson of Worland, Mrs. Cindy Bredhauer of Gillette, Mrs. Karen Hart, Thermopolis and Mrs. Tana Fernau, Casper; one son Theodore Sparks, Jr. attending Casper College in Casper; his mother, Mary Asay Sparks of Lovell; sister Mary Lee Waters of Big Piney; two brothers, William K. Sparks, stationed in Japan and Richard D. Sparks of Cheyenne; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment was in Lusk Cemetery. Active bearers were Dale Gunn, Eldon Alexander, Don Brooks, Randy Madden, Stuart Deans, J. D. Wasserburger. Honorary bearers were Don Briley, Don Bleak, Henry Wasserburger, Jr. Don Nelson, Dave Edinger and Kester Akers.

Memorials may be sent to the family or left at Niobrara Memorial Hospital.

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