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.