More detail on this person: Edward Newell Sparks Jr, age 77, passed away at his home in Bothell, Washington on March 22, 2021. He had been battling with Parkinson's disease the last few years and left this world peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends. Ed (Eddie) was born August 18, 1943 in Butte, Montana, to parents Nan Gertrude (Divel) and Edward Newell Sparks Sr. He enjoyed growing up in Montana with his younger brother William (Bill), and he reflected fondly of summers spent at the family bungalow in the Bitterroot Valley. After graduating high school in 1961, Ed left Butte to attend the University of Montana. While in college, he met and married Joan (Hoffman) from Great Falls. Soon after college, Ed enlisted in the Army and was trained to fly helicopters. After graduating flight school, he served one combat tour in Vietnam flying the Huey and the remainder of his active duty service as an instructor at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He and Joan lived in various locations across the country while raising their three children (Wayne, John, and Cathy) and eventually returned to the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. They later divorced in 1985. Ed relocated to the Seattle area in 1986 where he worked in commercial property management. He met Janice (Bloomer) and her daughter Jyllian a few years later and they married in 1992. Ed helped Janice to raise Jyllian with love and support, as his daughter. Over the years, Ed has enjoyed woodworking, boating in the Puget Sound, and being a grandfather (Bubba) and great-grandfather. His family and friends were very important to him, and he was always there when needed. He was a proud veteran and a patriot to his country. Ed was preceded in death by his mother and father and will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Janice; his children, Wayne (Linda) Sparks, John (Kimmy) Sparks, Cathy (Clay) Ledbetter, Jyllian (Mike) Ross; his brother, William (Sandy) Sparks; his six grandchildren; his four great-grandchildren; his niece and nephew; along with many in-laws and friends. Cremation is under the care of Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home in Seattle, Washington, with no service per Ed's request. His ashes will be spread in the San Juan Islands later this summer. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dignitymemorial.com .
Burial information: Cremated
This information was last updated 04/05/2021
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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