Felix Laurence Sparks

SPARKS, FELIX LAURENCE Felix Laurence Sparks (born August 2, 1917 in San Antonio, TX) was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion of the 157th Infantry Regiment, from the 45th Division of the United States Army. This Division was the first Allied force that entered the concentration camp of Dachau. They were the first to liberate the prisoners of Dachau. General Sparks grew up in the small copper mining town of Miami, AZ. His father worked for the Inspiration Copper Mining Company. In 1935, after unsuccessfully seeking work at the shipyards located in Corpus Christi, TX. General Sparks traveled to San Francisco and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After WWII was over and he completed his enlistment Felix entered law school at the University of Colorado, graduated in 1947 and practiced law in Delta, Colorado and was elected District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District. He lost his re-election in 1952; however, Gov. Ed Johnson appointed him to fill an unexpired term on the Colorado Supreme Court. At the end of his term he returned to practice law in Delta. Sparks organized the Colorado National Guard in 1946 at the request of the then Colorado Gov. John Vivian. Sparks became known as the Father of the Colorado National Guard. In 1958 Gov. Steve McNichols appointed him Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. General Sparks served with the National Guard during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis after which he returned to his job on the Water Board, retiring in 1979. He achieved the rank of Brigadier General and became Commanding General of the Colorado Army National Guard. He died September 24, 2007 at the age of 90. Brig. General Sparks is survived by his wife Mary, sons Kirk and Scott, daughters Jean Whitehurst and Kim Pumroy, two sisters, Ladelle Bertram and Margaret Starr, one brother, Earl Sparks, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation Mon. Oct. 1, 5-8pm Crown Hill Mortuary. Services Tues. 9:00 am at the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts, 6901 Wadsworth. Interment to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, 29th and Wadsworth.