Burnie "Dean " Sparks , 81, of Gruver passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022.   Viewing will be Monday July 18, 2022, 5:00p.m. until 9:00p.m and Tuesday July 19, 2022, 9:00a.m. until 9:00p.m. at Boxwell  Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman.   A graveside service and burial will be on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 2:00p.m. at the Hansford Cemetery with Shawn Farrar officiating.   Because of the extreme heat, the family encourages your attendance at the Gruver United Methodist Church at 3:00 for the Celebration of Life at the Gruver United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 with J.W. Ward officiating.   Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.

Dean was born in a dugout at Springfield, Colorado on August 17, 1940. The youngest of five children, the family moved back to Hansford County in 1942.

Dean & his brother Jerry began baling hay in their early teens. This led to the very unique partnership now known as Sparks Brothers. Some of the brothers' business ventures included oil rigs, horse racing, aerial spraying, farming, ranching, & short stints into raising ostriches and greyhounds.

Many will remember Dean as a generous person. He was always willing to lend a hand through community donations, labor, or even the loan of a pickup. Not a wedding or baby shower has occurred in Gruver without him making sure Sparks Brothers sent a gift, even to those he did not know.

Dean also loved people. While certainly counting his family and friends as precious, he never met a stranger. He welcomed anyone into his home-away-from-home, the Sparks Brothers office. There Dean would want to learn about you, tell you a story and a joke, and offer his "hospitality." Dean will be dearly missed by all who knew him and his special way—Living life to its fullest at a slow pace.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Betty Mullins, Glenabelle, and brothers Lavoe Sparks and Jerry Sparks.

Dean leaves behind his loving children, daughter Jackie and husband John Martin of Mansfiels TX., sons, Slavin and wife Marcy Sparks of Dalhart and Lance and wife Lori Sparks of Gruver. He also leaves behind his 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild and his significant other Alice Peddy.

Family suggests memorials in memory of Dean be to Gruver EMS and Gruver Volunteer Fire Dept.