Howard Sparhawk

Howard Sparhawk, 92, died May 21, 2008, in Billings. He was born Dec. 18, 1915, in Rushville, Ill., to Wyoming pioneers Frank O. and Bessie E. Sparhawk. His life was shaped and determined by his deep love of the American West, which he learned from his parents, who lived and ranched in the Crandall Creek and Chance, Wyo., areas.
Howard's early years in the Clarks Fork area formed his love for the mountains and rivers, and remained his true passion for his entire life. Howard spent every free moment living and working at his canyon ranch, operating it in a manner that preserved its original character and allure. Howard was always proud of the fact that his father Frank O. was the first forest ranger in Shoshone National Forest.
Howard attended the Clark area Pioneer School in his early years, and then returned with his parents to Illinois to finish his high school years. With the outbreak of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, graduating from flying school to fly B-25 bombers in the China-Burma-India Theater. He served in the famous Flying Tigers unit under General Chennault, in the 11th Bomb Squadron, 14th Air Force, Kuellin, China. After a year of combat duty, Howard returned to the United States as an instructor in the Army Air Corps Chinese training unit, and later was trained as a pilot in the new A-26 aircraft. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps in September 1945 as a First Lieutenant and received the Victory Medal. Following the war, Howard returned to the Clarks Fork area, where he wanted to live for the rest of his life, close to the western heritage that was so dear to his heart.
Residing in Billings, he began his career in real estate, becoming one of the founding members of the Montana Chapter of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (now the Appraisal Institute) and became a lifetime member. He earned his MAI designation (Member of the Appraisal Institute) and in 1967 was President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter No. 50.
Howard is survived by his sister, Ruth Sparhawk of Irvine, Calif.; two sons, Frank of Hillsdale, N.J., and Steve of Billings; two grandsons, Ryan and Seth, both of Billings; granddaughter Melanie Sparhawk; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Louise Vickery; and brother Richard Sparhawk.
Viewing will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel, with the funeral following promptly at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31. A second service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the Community Center in Clark, Wyo., with interment in Bennett Butte Cemetery; luncheons will follow both services.
Memorials in Howard's memory can be made to the Clark Community Center.
As his life turned first to a war in far-off lands, then to building a career, Howard's thoughts and life always returned to the rugged glory of his Clark's Fork Canyon home. Here, at the end of his journey, he will rest.
Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel. Condolences and memories may be made to the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.