Terry Sparrow

Terry Lynn Sparrow, 61, of Keokuk, longtime owner of 4 Directions, Inc., died in his sleep at 3 AM Thursday morning, April 14, 2011, at his home. Terry was born July 7 1949, in Keokuk, son of Lester Oren and Laurene "Rene" Evelyn Wemhoner Sparrow. She survives. He married Linda Taulbe in 1972 in Des Moines. She survives. He married Karen Kaneff December 30, 1977, in Keokuk at Circle K Ranch, home of the bride's parents, where Terry and Karen made their home. Karen survives. He was graduated from Warsaw High School. He played football for the Warsaw Wildcats. While in high school, Terry grew five produce gardens and the income helped with his college scholarship. He graduated from Hannibal-LaGrange College. He had worked in Des Moines, Iowa; Denver and Estes Park, Colorado; and Hannibal, Missouri, where he refined his cooking skills. He also worked in Keokuk at several restaurants before acquiring the 4th Street Café in July of 2000. Terry helped open the Missouri Territory Restaurants Wayland and Hannibal, Missouri. He served in the United States Army and National Guard and was activated during Desert Storm. While working as a reporter for the Quincy Herald-Whig, he receiv...[more]

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d an award from Illinois State Police for saving a life. Terry was a member of The Thunderbirds, a Native American culture group, National Gourd Society, MENSA, Iliniwek Chapter of the Missouri and Iowa Archeological Societies and while in Des Moines, Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship. He was an avid reader and extensive user of the Keokuk Public Library. He was an astrologer and read palms and would read anyone's palm who asked him to. While living in Hannibal, he became active in animal rights; once a month he transported a carload of dogs and cats to St. Louis for adoption. He was active with National Arbor Day work acquiring hundreds of trees to distribute to Hannibal area students and scout groups. Other survivors include: daughter Ariessa Sparrow of Des Moines; two sons, David Sparrow of Denver, Colorado and Ben Sparrow of Keokuk; stepson Chris Ball of Conyers, Georgia; adopted son Steven Dale Allen of Ft. Madison, Iowa; two brothers, Galen Sparrow and wife Betty of Warsaw, Illinois and Carson Sparrow and wife Carol of Smithfield, Virginia; grandchildren Kimberly, Lauren, Brant, Cassia, Robin, Eric, Dylan, Brandon, Adam, and Lewis; and several nieces and nephews. Terry was preceded in death by his father and grandparents. Visitation will be on Wednesday at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center on Blondeau Street after 2:00 PM with family meeting friends from 6 to 8. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, April 21, 2011 at New Testament Christian Church with Brother Bill Hauser officiating. Cremation will follow. Memorials may be made to Carl Porter Tree Projects or to either animal shelter in Keokuk, Friends of the Keokuk Animal Shelter or Keokuk Humane Society.