James Donald Sparks

James “Jim” D. Sparks was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Jack and June Sparks. He attended school in Sheridan, where he was an accomplished student-athlete, and later earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming.

In 1959, Jim married Ann Ridle of Sheridan, and the couple made their home in Laramie. In 1962, while attending law school and raising two young children—with another on the way—Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Lieutenant.

In late 1965, Jim began his first combat tour in Vietnam. After returning home, Jim, Ann, and their four children moved between duty stations on the East and West Coasts, as is familiar to many Marine Corps families. Jim returned to Vietnam for a second combat tour in 1969. In the years that followed, the family was stationed in numerous locations—some two or three times.

Jim retired from the Marine Corps in 1982 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of the 3rd Tank Battalion, 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade, stationed at Twentynine Palms, California.

Jim, Ann, and their two youngest children then returned home to Sheridan, where Jim began a second career in banking and trust management. He worked for First Interstate Bank and later KeyBank. Always looking for a new challenge, he held executive positions in Salt Lake City and Denver. In 1996, he accepted a similar position with Hilltop Bank, where he remained until retiring for a second time.

Following his retirement, Jim devoted much of his time to his passion for fly tying and fly-fishing on the North Platte River. He also worked at the Ugly Bug Fly Shop during this period—primarily, as his family knew, to get the latest fly-fishing intel. Jim believed in serving his community and spent several years on the board of the Meals on Wheels Foundation in Casper. In his later years, he dedicated himself to caring for Ann, his beloved wife of 60 years.

Jim is survived by his children, Jim Sparks of Billings, Montana, Susan Iberlin of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Elizabeth (Wade) Bergslien of Casper, Wyoming; his grandchildren, Amy Iberlin of Casper, Steven Iberlin of Casper, Lee Iberlin of Midwest, Wyoming, Emily Bergslien of St. Paul, Minnesota, Anna Bergslien of Gig Harbor, Washington, Nick Sparks of Denver, Colorado, and Sam Sparks of Phoenix, Arizona; his sister, June Ann Smith of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and June Sparks; his loving wife, Ann; and his daughter, Tracy Sparks.

A family service will be held in Sheridan, Wyoming, where Jim will be laid to rest alongside Ann and Tracy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Meals on Wheels Foundation in Casper in Jim’s honor.