The Honorable Scott R. Sparks

The Honorable Scott R. Sparks, Kittitas County Superior Court Judge, passed away peacefully at his family home on January 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A lifelong resident of Ellensburg, Judge Sparks was 61 years old. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Mercer Creek Church in Ellensburg.

Scott was born on July 9, 1963, to Roger and Rita Sparks at the old Ellensburg Hospital on Craig’s Hill. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1981. At EHS, he was a multi-sport athlete in basketball, football, and track and earned the title “Mr. Bulldog” his senior year.

Scott attended the University of Washington, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1985. While there, he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and served as chapter president his senior year. After graduating, he worked as a consultant for the fraternity, traveling to advise chapters across the country. He later attended the University of Oregon School of Law, where he clerked for the State of Oregon’s Attorney General’s Office (Trial Division) and accepted a commission as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve.

After earning his law degree and becoming a member of the Washington State Bar, Scott graduated with honors from the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1991. During his service in the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and completed assignments in Japan and at sea aboard the USS Blue Ridge. He returned to Ellensburg in 1994 after his active-duty commitment and opened a law office focused on criminal law and trial practice. He also served as the City Attorney for Kittitas, the Prosecutor for Cle Elum, and held contracts for public defense work.

Throughout this time, Scott remained an officer in the Naval Reserve, a role he held until his election to the bench in 2004. His continued commitment to the Navy reflected his dedication to service.

In 1998, Scott was appointed Court Commissioner for Kittitas County Superior Court, where he handled dependency, domestic violence protection, and juvenile offender cases. In 2004, he was elected Superior Court Judge for Kittitas County, a position he held until his passing. Over the years, Scott served as chair of the State Board for Judicial Administration, and acted as Presiding Judge for Kittitas County Superior Court for over a decade.

Outside of work, Scott was a devoted husband and father. He married Dawn Wooster in 1987, and together they raised two sons, Zachary and Jacob. Family time was deeply important to him, and he especially enjoyed camping and road trips throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Scott was also passionate about fitness. He completed marathons, triathlons, and ultra-marathons, including the Honolulu Marathon and the Whiskey Dick Triathlon. He hiked Manastash Ridge 180 times in a single year and climbed Mount Stewart twice. Even as his health declined, he completed his own personal 5K on his treadmill at home.

Scott maintained a lifelong connection to his farming roots, working on the family farm with his father and brothers throughout his life.

Scott is survived by his wife of 37 years, Dawn Sparks; his sons, Zachary Scott Oswald Sparks and Jacob Carville Sparks (husband Erik Walker); his parents, Roger and Rita Sparks; his brothers, Gary Sparks (wife Diane) and Doug Sparks (wife Linda); his uncles, Fred Sparks and Brad Sparks (wife Candy); his brother-in-law, Wayne Wooster (wife Tina); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

While Scott’s family appreciates the traditional gesture of sending flowers, they encourage donations in his honor to KVH Hospice, Court Advocates for Children of Kittitas County (CASA), or The Gretchen Weller Foundation, all based in Ellensburg.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg, where condolences may be shared online at www.johnston-williams.com.

Scott’s life will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his community, and his enduring contributions to Kittitas County.