Sparks anniversary

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 | 12:03 p.m.

Las Vegans Clyde and Wanda Belle Sparks celebrated their 50th anniversary recently. They were married Oct. 7, 1950, in Dallas, Texas.

The couple are 12-year residents. Clyde has worked as a structural steelworker and is an honorary member of the Ironworkers Local Union 377 in San Francisco, a decorated World War II veteran, (having served as a paratrooper in the European theater) including participation in the invasion at Normandy. He is presently retired. Wanda worked in the steamship industry, was a member of the Marine Engineers Union, and was president of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women for two consecutive years.

They are past Worthy Matron and Patron of Eastern Star 635, and he is a past directory of the Temple Guard Unit of the Islam Shriners in San Francisco, and they are both members of Desert Hills Baptist Church.

The pair have one daughter, Dallas Hotz of Chickasha, Okla., and one son, Marshall Sparks of Las Vegas, and their children from his first marriage are daughter Kaneita Coulston of Lancaster, Texas, and son Larry Sparks of Irving, Texas, and 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The pair celebrated by renewing their vows and having a reception at Southern Baptist Church in Pahrump.