Timothy Sparks

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Mountainview Christian Church, 40 E Highlands Ranch Pkwy, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126.

Timothy was born in Superior, Arizona on July 10, 1940, with his twin sister Tinnie Sue. Tim's father Quinn worked as a mechanic for the railroad in Arizona during which time he met and married Florence Sullivan, who had migrated to the US with her parents from Ireland as a child. The family later moved to El Paso to homestead on property that belonged to his grandfather Samuel Sparks.

Tim attended Ysleta High School in El Paso, Texas where he met his first wife Glynnda, and immediately joined the military, stationed at Shepard Air Force base near Burkbunett, Texas, at the time of the birth of his first child Samuel in 1961. After completing two years of service on the fire crew, the family moved back to El Paso where he found work as a lineman for the El Paso Electric Company. His second son Jeffrey was born in 1965 and tragically, his wife passed two years later from chronic health problems related to lupus.

For the next several years Tim worked his way up to journeyman lineman at the electric company while at the same time attending night classes at the University of Texas at El Paso where he obtained a degree in business. He also became president of the local IBEW union. Tim then began to pursue professional work in his chosen field.

At that time, he met his second wife Janet, and they were married in 1971.

In 1977, Tim landed his first professional position as a labor relations manager for Washington Public Power Supply Systems in Richland, Washington. After working six years for WPPSS, enjoying outdoor recreation including boating, fishing and hunting with his sons and friends, Tim accepted an offer from the Platte River Power Authority in Fort Collins, Colorado, to become their human resources manager.

Tim left public service in 1986 and joined Butler Paper Corporation in 1986. Soon after, he and Janet moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where they lived for the next 38 years. During this time Tim had a successful career negotiating with major unions including the Teamsters and IBEW. He retired for a brief period after leaving his last position with Georgia Pacific but resumed working for them as a contractor for the several years, traveling all over the county and becoming a million- mile flier on United Airlines.

Following retirement, Tim became involved in community service, helping to feed the homeless at a mission in Denver. He served as a member of the Kiwanis and later the Rotary Club in Highlands Ranch, as well as being inducted into the Non-Commissioned Officers Association. He was awarded many honors for his efforts and involvement in these organizations. He was eventually named as an honorary member of his Rotary club for the last several years of his life.

Tim loved to talk and was never at a loss for words. He enjoyed telling stories to anyone and everyone who would listen. In his spare time, he loved working in his yard and making repairs around his home. He was fond of watching the birds that visited the feeders he kept. Tim was handy with all manner of tools, even working on automobiles.

Tim loved traveling and took pride in visiting every state park in Colorado. He was also a big fan of traveling by train across the country and Canada.

Tim was rarely without a smile and cheerful optimism and had genuine concern for all those who were lucky enough to be his friend. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and all who knew him.

Tim passed away on December 11, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, pleased donate to Franklin Graham Ministry at www.Samaritanspurse.org