"I met Rex for the first time when I attended a blood pattern course in Des Moines years ago. As one who has travelled many miles, Rex made me feel welcome and at ease exchanging stories and told me about his beautiful wife. From then on we would communicate and I remember him asking me for a signed photo of Manny Pacquiao but was not able to give him since I have not seen him in the succeeding conferences. I am truly saddened by his passing . My condolences and prayers for the eternal repose of his soul and my prayers too for his wife that she may have the strength to overcome the sadness in his passing . Filipinas Francisco Papa Philippine National Police Academy Camp Castenada, Silang, Cavite Philippines"
In loving memory of
Rex Thomas Sparks
December 4, 1951 - December 27, 2015
Rex Sparks, 64 of Des Moines passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2015 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at The Well Church (Formerly Evangelical Covenant Church) on 2625 Hubbell Avenue in Des Moines . Funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 3:30 p.m. with Chaplin Al Perez officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Rex Thomas Sparks was born on December 4, 1951 in Maxwell to Russell and Evelyn (Warfield) Sparks. He attended Maxwell High School and graduated in 1969. After school he began working with the Story County Sherriffs Department as a sherriffs deputy. He started investigating crime scenes specializing in blood spatter and was hired on by the Des Moines Police Department. On November 12, 1999 Rex married Margarita Guzman and the couple resided in Des Moines. In 2013 Rex retired from the Des Moines Police Department. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, golfing, and watching boxing. Rex was a member of the Iowa Golden Glove where he had been a board member, and the International Blood Spatter Association.
Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Margarita Sparks; children Amy (Evan) Hampton, Lisa Lauder, and Clinton Sparks; 21 grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brother Dan (Konnie) Sparks; many nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Rex Sparks Memorial Fund.
Celebrate Life Iowa, in West Des Moines has been entrusted with the care of Rex and his family.
Tributes
"Alejandra Perez y familia. purchased the Sentiments of Serenity Spray for the family of Rex Thomas Sparks."
"Divine Peace Bouquet was purchased for the family of Rex Thomas Sparks."
"Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Rex Thomas Sparks."
"Rex was a special part of my life in Maxwell, and later while we were both in Des Moines. He gave me my first an last boxing lesson. I got one good hit on him and he reacted with a good one on me - knocking me out. He will be missed. Lance Coles"
"Rex was well known in the forensic field for his Bloodspatter Interpretation work. He will be missed by the forensic community. Paul Bush Iowa DCI Crime Lab"
"What a good man and friend. Very, very good at what he did. An expert in many areas. We had lots of fun over the years, but did lots of good work too. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends but the City of Des Moines will miss him also"
"Nothing I can say will heal a heavy heart, but the memories and stories of Rex that we all share will always result in a smile. His friendship will be looked upon fondly, and his legacy as one of the greatest investigators of all time will be lasting. We should all be very grateful that we had the opportunity know Rex Sparks, something that we should never take for granted. Dana Wingert & the entire DMPD Family"
"I came to know Rex when I began my employment with the Des Moines Police Department. Weeks ahead of my wife and children being able to move to Central Iowa, Rex took me into his home and allowed me to live there in the interim. Rex was also my training officer. To say he was a hard man to please is an understatement, and a tougher training officer, I have never met. I am all the better for it though. Rex became a very good friend and respected colleague. Rex was a very serious crime scene investigator and blood spatter analyst. Rex' humor was epic! Didn't matter if he was writing your obituary or if he was in one of his alter-ego's, he always kept you laughing, which was welcome in some of the very sad and trying cases that we have worked. Rest in Peace, Rex. You will missed greatly Drue Powers, Chief Red Oak Police Department"
"Steve Woody is following this tribute."
"I had the pleasure of working closely with Rex for about seven years; a more dedicated forensic specialist you'd never find. Primarily self-taught and always willing to share his expertise, I could always count on Rex to cheer everyone up around him on a long crime scene. Rex, you'll be missed! Condolences and prayers for the family. Steve Woody, DMPD"
"The members of the IABPA purchased the Lavender Reflections Spray for the family of Rex Thomas Sparks."
"To the family of Rex Sparks: Rex was a person who could light up a room with his sense of humor and also a true professional who was a nationally known expert, he will be missed by all because he was taken too soon from us. My condolences to his wife margarita (era un honor de conocer a Rex), daughter Amy and the rest of his family and friends."
"To the family and friends of Rex Sparks. Rex and I worked together at the Des Moines Police Department for many years. He was family to me. I will miss him very much. We spent a lot of hours working together to solve many murders in Des Moines. His sense of humor helped us through many hard things we had to deal with. He took his crime scene processing duties very serious and always did his best. His forensics skills in blood spatter analysis were top notch. He was a good man, friend, husband and grandfather. I have many good memories of the times we spent together. Rest in peace my friend. Prayers and sympathy to Margarita Sparks and family. You were taken to soon. We will meet again... Senior Identification Technician DMPD (retired) Gregory D. Gourd"
"To the family and friends of Rex Sparks. Rex and I have been friends for a long time. We have laughed together, played football together, went fast in a car together, partied all night, boxed together, sat ringside at the golden gloves together, drank a beer together, and we both struggled with diabetes for years, We have shared many events and stories as friends and even share the same first name. There were times in my life when I needed legal advice and called Rex and he helped me. Rex gives me lots of good memories. I will miss Rex, but will never forget him. I will continue to share our good times as friends. May the peace at passes all understanding touch every ones heart during time of the loss of Rex. Rex I will miss you down here. Respectfully submitted Rex Ratzlaff"
"Rex worked for me when I was assigned to Ident ( or I worked for him--we never really agreed on that ) and I found him to be very professional and competent, and just an all around good guy, he was always there to give encouragement or knowledge and there was no task to difficult for Rex----I considered him a friend and he will be missed Tom Trimble"
"I want to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one and I hope the following suggestions help the family members and those who loved Rex Thomas Sparks to lessen their grief. Talk about your feelings to a true companion who will listen patiently and sympathetically. If you have feelings of guilt thinking that some neglect on your part contributed to your loved ones death, realize, though, that no matter how much we love another person, we cannot prevent time and unforeseen occurrence from befalling those we love. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) More than anything else, a relationship with God can help you to cope with the death of someone you love. Isaiah 33:24 promises the time when an end to sickness will become a reality. God will put an end to pain, suffering and even DEATH. God promises at Isaiah 25:8 that death will be swallowed up forever."
"Clint Sparks and family of Rex Sparks...I was so very sorry to hear about Rex's passing. Thinking of you all and sending condolences and prayers. Laurie Bence"
"Sorry to hear of Rex's passing. He was a neighbor to me 35 years ago, and I have nothing but good memories of him. Most of all I remember him being a good friend to my father. To his children, take care of each other, and remember all the good times. He was a Great man!"