Gary Sparks Obituary

Durango resident Gary P. Sparks died of cancer on Friday, June 19, 2009. He was 64.

Mr. Sparks was born to Paul H. and Carole E. Sparks in Denver on April 27, 1945. He graduated from Englewood High School in 1963 and earned a Bachelor of Science in geology from Fort Lewis College in 1969.

After graduation, Mr. Sparks enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Robert L. Wilson out of Norfolk, Va. The destroyer's mission was to cruise the Mediterranean Sea and conduct surveillance on Russian submarines. He was honorably discharged in August 1973.

In 1974, Mr. Sparks went to work for the Colorado Highway Department, now the Colorado Department of Transportation, out of Durango.

He retired after 15 years to tinker and rebuild the pickups and cars in his automobile collection. His family said he was a philosopher and was always ready to lend a hand to family and friends.

Mr. Sparks is survived by his mother, Carole Sparks, of Durango; sister, Judith Dirks, of Lafayette; one nephew and one niece.

Cremation has occurred. A private service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81303.