Obituary of Kenneth Sparks

Kenneth L. Sparks died on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at a local care facility. Ken was born in Clarkston, Utah on August 8, 1926, the oldest of four children of Lawrence and Gertrude Sparks. He graduated from Boise High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy serving as a radioman. Coming back from WWII he went to Boise Jr. College and married Aileen M. Johns in 1948. They had two children, Linda (Sparks) Howell and Randal K. Sparks. Golf captured Ken's attention early in life and he managed to turn it into his life-long work. He worked at the Air National Guard and Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in the 1950's and was activated by the Air National Guard during the Korean War going to Georgia, Texas, and California to put in communication systems at the various military bases. Ken managed the Warm Springs Driving Range in the late 1950's, then went on to Broadmore Country Club in Nampa and later to the Plantation Country Club in Boise. In 1988 the city of Nampa leased the Centennial Golf Course to Ken. He retired at age 75. Ken is survived by his children, Linda (Jim) Howell and Randy Sparks and one sister Jessie Thomas of Brazil, Indiana, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother Warren, and a sister Athlene Fuller. A viewing will be held at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 W. Bannock St., Boise on Friday, September 21 from 5-7 pm. Services will be held at Summers Funeral Home Boise Chapel on Saturday, September 22 at 11 am with graveside services (military honors) following at Dry Creek Cemetery.