Rexel F. Sparks

Rexel F. Sparks, 89, of Ima, New Mexico, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at Mercy Regional Hospital in Durango, Colorado. He was born April 9, 1917 at Ima, New Mexico to Richard Frank Sparks and Idella Bragg Sparks. He attended school at Ima, New Mexico and graduated high school at House, New Mexico. He attended Eastern New Mexico University where he played college football before helmets had face guards. He married Hilda E. Block on June 14, 1941. He was a farmer and rancher in the Ima area and drove a school bus for the House School system for 38 years. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent many happy summers on their irrigated farm near Ignacio, Colorado. His life was centered on his family and he was well known as a strong, kind, and reliable man. He was a member of the Ima Community Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Elvin Sparks, Orville Sparks, and True Sparks; his sisters Clora Sparks Meadows, Ruby Sparks Patton, and Betty Sparks Galloway. Survivors include his wife, Hilda, of the home; one daughter, Kay Sparks Frazier of Melrose, New Mexico; four sons, Donnie Sparks (ElVerna or “Robbie”) of Canon City, Colorado; Dick Sparks (Nikki) of Monte Vista, Colorado, Kelly Sparks (Colleen) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Joe Sparks (Becky) of Ignacio, Colorado; 25 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Avrit (Sandy) Sparks of Ignacio, Colorado, and Lee Otis Sparks of Joplin, Missouri; one sister, Idella Sparks Hebert of Roswell, New Mexico. A memorial service will be held at Pine River Valley Baptist Church, 11942 Hwy. 172, Ignacio, on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a meal for family and friends immediately after the service. Funeral services will be held at House School Gymnasium at House, New Mexico on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Ima Community Cemetery. Pastor Joe Sparks will officiate. Local arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. For online tributes or condolences visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com