James Leroy Sparr, Sr., the son of Fred W. and Edith Dado Sparr was born March 12, 1938 in rural Montgomery County, Iowa. He passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 71 years, 8 months and 27 days. James was raised in the Red Oak community. As a young man, he enjoyed helping his uncle and cousins, Raymond, Ralph and Robert Dado on the farm during the summers. James was united in marriage to Rosemary E. Lombard on August 14, 1965 in Red Oak, Iowa. Over the years they lived in Oakland, IA; Council Bluffs, IA; and Coburg, IA before making their home on a farm north of Elliott, IA in 1991. James worked for many years at O'Beco Company in Omaha, NE as a truck body and trailer painter and pin striper. James enjoyed family, friends and fishing. James was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rosemary on June 20, 2007; and 3 brothers: Kenneth, Eugene and Merril Sparr. James is survived by three children: Brenda Sparr of Kapaa, Hawaii; Tim Sparr and wife Diane of St. Joseph, Missouri; and James Sparr, Jr. of Odessa, Texas; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Memorial Graveside Service will be held at a later date at Waveland Cemetery, north of Elliott, IA. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.