Keith Fogus Sparks

Keith Fogus Sparks, born on March 19, 1933 in Sacramento, California died peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in his home with his loved ones next to him, at the age of 91. Keith grew up in Auburn, California attending Placer Grammar School and Placer High School, where he played football, basketball (his favorite), and baseball. Keith graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, served two years in the Navy and then attended the University of California, Berkeley Law School where he was the editor of the Berkeley Law Review.

Keith was an assistant district attorney in Placer County, then followed in his father Lowell’s footsteps and was appointed to the Superior Court as judge in Auburn. Later Keith was appointed to the California Third District Appellant Court as an associate justice where he adjudicated for 19 years before retiring. He was instrumental in the creation of the Sparks Law Library in Auburn.

Keith married his high school sweetheart, Mary Hughes, in 1954; had four children, Kathryn, Thomas, Theodore and Christian. Keith is preceded in death by his wife Mary Sparks who died in 2022 after 66 years of marriage, his brother, Stanley Sparks, his sister Sandra Sparks and his son Theodore Sparks. Keith is survived by his three children, Kathryn, Thomas and Christian, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Keith was loved by so many of his colleagues, friends and family and will be terribly missed. Burial will be at the New Cemetery in Auburn on Friday, May 31st at 1 pm