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Rex Sparks Obituary
Rex Thomas Sparks was born on December 4, 1951 in Maxwell to Russell and Evelyn (Warfield) Sparks. He attended Maxwell High School and graduated in 1969. After school he began working with the Story County Sherriff's Department as a sherriff's deputy. He started investigating crime scenes specializing in blood spatter and was hired on by the Des Moines Police Department. On November 12, 1999 Rex married Margarita Guzman and the couple resided in Des Moines. In 2013 Rex retired from the Des Moines Police Department. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, golfing, and watching boxing. Rex was a member of the Iowa Golden Glove where he had been a board member, and the International Blood Spatter Association.
Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Margarita Sparks; children Amy (Evan) Hampton, Lisa Lauder, and Clinton Sparks; 21 grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brother Dan (Konnie) Sparks; many nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Rex Sparks Memorial Fund.
Celebrate Life Iowa, in West Des Moines has been entrusted with the care of Rex and his family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dan Sparks
December 28, 2016
It has been a year and I still miss my brother. I miss our phone and text conversations which often contained your often humorous advice. I treasure my memories of you. Dan
December 28, 2016
It has been a year and I miss my brother. I miss our phone calls and text conversations and your great, and often unusual, sense of humor. I always valued your advice and miss it dearly. Dan
Michelle Harvey
December 31, 2015
What a great man Rex was. He always had such a great sense of humor and a smile when ever I saw him. I meet Rex when he would come into the emergency department to collect evidence and then thru my husband Doug Harvey. Heaven received a great guy and he will be missed.
December 30, 2015
Rex was a former neighbor of ours. My husband always enjoyed talking with Rex about "legal matters". Rest in peace, Rex.
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Larry Olson
December 30, 2015
I will never forget the day Rex walked into the Detective Division Office at the Ames Police Department with his glasses upside down on his face. As he walked in he said "you probably don't recognize me in this disguise." We all had a good laugh. He was just a fun guy to work with.
December 30, 2015
I WAS A CLASS MATE WITH REX IN MAXWELL
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
JERALD DUNAHOO
Nancy Lamasters-Kappel
December 30, 2015
Rex was such a hilarious person. He always called me "old woman". I guess the shoe fits. I had my favorite nickname for him, too. It was all in good fun. Rex was a serious co-worker, thorough, confident. Rex, you will be missed by so many people.
Mark nord
December 30, 2015
Great guy and very knowledgeable. As a city officer and later a Deputy Sheriff with Story County, Rex was very helpful in helping my brother and I form the first police department in Huxley.
My condolences to the family.
Rest in peace, Rex.
Nels Nord
December 30, 2015
Sorry to hear about Rex's death.I'am in Pasadena to watch his beloved Hawkeyes.He was one of the best police officers I knew in my 34 years as a Police officer in Huxley
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