Sparks, husband of longtime regent, dies

Jennifer Knight

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.

Ken Sparks, the husband of former university regent Carolyn Sparks, died of cancer Monday. He was 72.

The two were married for 38 years and opened a business, International Insurance Services, Ltd., together in 1966.

"He was my soul mate and my best friend and the one person in my life for 38 years that I didn't ever think I could do without," Carolyn Sparks said.

Born in Bellingham, Wash., in 1930, Ken Sparks came to Las Vegas in 1959 after the insurance company he was working for at the time sent him because he was the only bachelor in the office.

His friends knew him as an avid skier, a Harley Davidson aficionado -- and a man who inspired his wife to do her best in her various ventures.

"Ken was one of those wonderful supporting background husbands," said Edyth Katz Yarchever, who has known the couple since they began dating. "He was a wonderful man, soft-spoken. He was there for her. What she was a part of, he was a part of."

Carolyn Sparks served on the Board of Regents from 1984 to 1996 at her husband's encouragement and began to do community work because of his influence, Yarchever said.

Ken Sparks' health began to decline after he learned he had colon cancer about two years ago. Despite his failing health, Sparks managed to host the couple's yearly New Year's Day party one last time this year, where he was able to say goodbye to most of his friends.

"He was like the godfather, sitting and holding court," Carolyn said. "That was sort of his last public appearance."

Ken died at a hospice Monday morning. He is survived by his wife, and three children, Katherine Lang, 36; Robert Kenneth Sparks, 34; and Tricia Sparks 26.

Services are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.