Theodore Robert "Ted" Sparn
Marriages
Clarice O'Connor - 1953
Elizabeth Hall - 1981
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - May 3, 2011
It is with profound sadness that
we report the passing of Theodore
Robert Sparn, aka Ted or
Teddy, a long time resident of
Grand Junction Colorado, at the
age of 85. He passed early Sunday
morning, May 1st, 2011
while at the Hospice care facility
in Grand Junction.
Ted was born in Denver, Colorado,
on November 9th 1925, to Martha Mary Sparn and Ernst Theodore
Sparn. He was the second of four brothers and was very proud
of the fact that his maternal grandparents (the Hayes) settled in
Blackhawk in the Colorado territory prior to statehood.
Ted's family moved from Denver to Grand Junction in 1933 where
he attended St. Joseph's Grade School and then graduated from
Fruitvale High School in 1943. Prior to being eligible for military
service, he worked for the Denver and Rio Grande railroad in support
of his family and the war effort. Ted joined the Army Air Corp
in 1943 and was a gunner on B-17s, B-24s and later B-29s in World
War II. After discharge in 1946, he reenrolled at Mesa College and
then transferred to the University of Colorado, Boulder where he
graduated with a BS in Business in 1950. He was called back to the
Air Force in 1950 to serve in the Korean War, again as a gunner in
the B-29 aircraft, and then received a direct commission. He continued
his service in the Air Force after the war as a reservist specializing
in accounting and finance, and retired as a full Colonel in the
United States Air Force. In 1953 after returning to Grand Junction,
Ted joined his father in business and started Factory Outlet Shoes on
Main Street, later renamed Sparn Shoes, which he owned and operated
with his brother Dick until they retired in 1992.
Ted married Clarice O'Connor in 1953 and they had three children,
Joe, Judy, and Tom. Clarice preceded him in death in 1980. Ted
remarried in 1981 to Elizabeth "Bets" Hall and joined Bets's family
including her four children; Tom, Dick, Liz and Amy.
Ted was a member of many military and service organizations
including: the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA),
the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the Air
Force Association, the Air Force Gunners Association, the Kiwanis,
the Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. Ted also enjoyed his
association with the National Railway Historical Society, Rocky
Mountain Railroad Club and the Mesa County Historical Society.
His variety of interests included model trains, railroad history,
classical music, and world and military history, but most importantly
anything his children or grandchildren participated in.
Ted is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Bets" Sparn and his
brothers, Richard "Dick" and his wife Lee Sparn of Grand Junction
CO, and Edwin "Eddie" Sparn of New Milford CT. Ted's children
number 14 and include; Joseph and his wife Sandra Sparn of Grand
Junction, CO; Judy and her husband Matt Norman of West
Bloomfield, MI; Thomas and his wife Debra Sparn of Boulder, CO;
Tom and his wife Cathy Hall of Modesto, CA; Dick and his wife
Marilyn Hall of Grand Junction, CO; Liz Hall and her husband Jay
Stevens of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Amy and her husband Dave
Peck of San Jose, CA. Ten grandchildren include: Christina and Leif
Hammersmark of Colorado Springs, CO; Doug Sparn of Grand
Junction, CO; Doug and Alison Norman of Fort Bragg, NC; David
and Jessica Norman of Argonia, KS; Peter and Martha Sparn of
Boulder, CO; Mathew Hall of Santa Clara, CA; Dustin Hall-Stevens
of Highlands Ranch, CO; Nicole and Bubba Düster of Louisville,
CO, and Taylor and Katie Peck of San Jose, CA. Six
great-grandchildren; Lars and Kara Hammersmark of Colorado
Springs, CO; Nicole Norman of NC and Wesley Norman of KS, and
Ben, Jack and Natalya Düster of Louisville, CO survive Ted.
A rosary will be held on Tuesday May 3rd at Callahan-Edfast
Mortuary chapel at 7:00 p.m. A memorial Mass at the Immaculate
Heart of Mary Catholic Church will be on Wednesday, May 4th at
3:00 p.m. followed by a reception at the church. Private interment
will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice & Palliative
Care of Western Colorado.
Cyril “Sam†Willis, Jr.
June 23, 1935 – April 28, 2011
Sam passed away on April 28,
2011 at Hospice Care Center of
Western Colorado after a short
battle with cancer.
Sam was born to Iva Mae and
Cyril S. Willis, Sr. on June 23,
1935. His parents preceded him in
death.
Sam spent his childhood in
Sweetwater, Texas where he
graduated from Newman High School with his class mates in 1953.
Sam continued on to Sul Ross University where he graduated with a
Geology Degree and served in the Army with the Artillery Division.
Sam was honorably discharged in 1964.
Sam met the love of his life, his bride, Nancy, while in college and
they were married on September 1, 1962 in Wink, Texas. He
worked in the oil industry throughout his life and traveled with oil
companies as a mud engineer until he settled in Grand Junction in
1978.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Nancy Willis of
Grand Junction. Sam had three children, Kimy Willis of Grand
Junction; Jack Willis (Lisa) of Winnboro, Texas, and Darby Willis
of Grand Junction, CO. He was the loving “Pappy†to four grandchildren,
Brandon (deceased), Tanner and Skyler of Grand Junction,
and Cassi Willis of Phoenix, Arizona. He is also survived by his
sister, Janett (Tom) Stevens of Bundaberg, QLD, Australia; two
nephews, Matthew and Brian Stevens, and one niece, Martha and
their loving families.
Sam loved to work crossword puzzles and play golf. He was
blessed to play five to six times a week with his many friends and
his senior group. Sam always had a smile and shared his kind and
simple spirit with all who knew him. He was a member of Fellowship
Church where he was an usher and served with the Church
working at the Homeless Shelter.
Per his request, there will be no services. Sam also requested no
tears be shed for him; for he is now with his Heavenly Father.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice
& Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090B North 12th
Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
Lives Lived
Obituaries
