Gary Sparkman

Gary Lynn Sparkman, age 65, of Keyes, Oklahoma died December 24, 2015, at Morton County Hospital in Elkhart, Kansas. He was born October 18, 1950 in Elkhart, Kansas the son of Gair and Helen (Powell) Sparkman.

He was one of four siblings and raised in Texas/Cimarron Counties in Oklahoma. He graduated from Yarbrough High School and continued his education at OPSU and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He then met and later married Beverly Jo Claybrook on April 7, 1973, and according to Gary married in a blizzard and has been storming ever since.

He continued in his father’s footsteps in farming and ranching, as well as running his own trucking company. He was a long term member of First Baptist Church and held office of trustee for many years and also led the singing for many years.

They then had four children: daughter, Rachell Peitz and fiancé Jeff Delacruz of Garden City, Kansas; son, Justin Sparkman and wife Rachael of Elkhart, Kansas; son, Adam Sparkman and wife Kalli of Elkhart, Kansas; and daughter, Andrea Negron and husband Josue of Garden City, Kansas. They had 16 grandchildren, Brittney, Garrett, Mckensi, Kaylee, Mya, Kaitlyn, Aiden, Chance, Preston, Adriynne, Drake, Kyla, Joshua, Olivia, Emma and Sophia.

Survivors also include wife, Beverly Jo Sparkman; mother, Helen Sparkman of Keyes, Oklahoma; brother, Dennis Sparkman and wife Darlene of Tuttle, Oklahoma; sister, Marlene Ashley of Amarillo, Texas, sister, Starla Overstreet and husband Tim of Bedford, Virginia; mother-in-law, Helen Claybrook of Guymon, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Charles Claybrook and wife Barbara of Channing, Texas; and sister-in-law, Barbara Quigley of Guymon, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gair Sparkman, grandparents and many loved ones.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Elkhart, Kansas. Burial will follow at Elkhart Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Elkhart. Memorial contributions may be given to Gary Sparkman Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.