Dennis Lyle McSparin, 80, of Marshall, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on February 9, 2023.
Born in Moline, Illinois, on May 3, 1942, he was the son of Glen and Catherine (McCann) McSparin. Denny married Judith (Jamieson) McSparin on August 3, 1960, in Denver, Colorado, where he was serving in the United States Air Force. Denny and Judy began dating in 1957, and celebrated 62 years of marriage in 2022.
A retired Manufacturing Engineer, Denny worked 22 years for the International Harvester Farmall Works in Rock Island, Illinois, where he was on the team that designed International’s last tractor, the IH 5488. Denny also retired from Raytheon/Standard Havens in Glasgow, Missouri, before working for 17 years in his perfect “retirement job” at Indian Foothills Golf Course in Marshall, where he made many close friends (and two holes-in-one).
Before discovering his love of golf, Denny was a scuba diver. He and Judy frequently took their family scuba diving, snow skiing, boating and water skiing, camping and fishing. He competed on a championship barbecue team, Gremlin Grill, with his sons and friends. He was also a former a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder who said, “Rooting for the Chiefs is like driving on ice.” Nerve-wracking and fun.
Denny also loved cars, and began working on them before he was old enough to drive. He was a consistent winner with the Sports Car Club of America and at local drag strips around the Quad Cities area. Over the years, he restored and customized too many cars to count, most from his little hobby garage, The Checkered Flag in Geneseo, Illinois.
Denny always put family first. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons Al (Terry) McSparin of Lake Waukomis, Mo., Pat (Sara) McSparin of Lake Waukomis, Mo., and Brett (Lisa) McSparin of Blue Springs, Mo.; Five grandkids, Tyler (Jamie) McSparin of Kansas City, Mo., Daniel McSparin of Kansas City, Mo; Grant (Taylor) McSparin, Brenna McSparin, and Quinn McSparin all of Blue Springs, Mo. Denny also leaves three beloved great-grandkids, Hayden, Jake and Reed; one brother, Chuck (Jean) McSparin; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial visitation with military rites to follow will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall, Mo., and a celebration of life with family and friends in the Quad Cities area this summer. Memorials are suggested to Fitzgibbon Home Health and Hospice or Fitzgibbon Cancer Center. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com