Carl E. Sparkman Sr., 91, died Feb. 19, 2010, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born March 5, 1918, in Ryan, Okla., to Frederick C. and Willie Pearl Glazner Sparkman. He graduated from Ryan High School, Ryan, Okla. A longtime resident of Hutchinson, he was an insurance agent for Kansas City Life Insurance and Prudential Life Insurance Company, and was later a manager for over 40 years. He had been a pilot and the owner and operator of Sparkman Aerial Photography. He was also a crop hail insurance adjustor for 18 years.

He belonged to the First Baptist Church, the Hutchinson-Reno Masonic Lodge No. 124 A.F.&A.M.; Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. of Kansas, the Kansas York Rite Chapter No. 34, and Reno Council 13, Hutchinson. He was a graduate of the International Graphoanalysis Society, Chicago. He was passionate about the art of metal detecting and his aerial photography. He was accomplished with the six-string guitar. He also enjoyed fresh water fishing. He and his wife took long trips throughout the South West as RV campers.

In February 1940, he married Nettie Marie Mack in Alva, Okla. She died Aug. 19, 1952. On July 31, 1953, he married Laura Louise "Lou" Polansky in Emporia. She survives. Other survivors include: two sons, Gene, Annapolis, Md., and Dean and wife Janet, Plymouth, Minn.; two sisters, Louise Anderson, Denver, and Theda Debes, Great Bend; three grandchildren, Elliott Sparkman, Nettie Sparkman and Gretchen Sparkman; and a great-granddaughter, Heidi Sparkman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Delbert E. Elliot, a brother, Hurschel Sparkman, and two infant sons.

Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday Feb. 22, 2010, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. Monday Feb. 22, 2010, in Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, with Pastor Stephen Taylor presiding. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday Feb. 21, 2010, at Elliott Mortuary, with the family present from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be sent to Hospice and Homecare of Reno County in care of the mortuary. Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.