September 8, 1961 ~ January 30, 2021 (age 59)
Obituary
Cristopher Eugene McSparen, 59, of Peoria, Arizona passed away suddenly on January 30th, 2021.
Cristopher was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on September 8th, 1961. He attended the University of Arizona majoring in Parks & Recreation Management. He met his beautiful wife, Mary, in Tucson, Arizona. They married in Yuma and started their family in Page.
Cristopher spent fifteen years as the Manager of Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell before moving to the Valley serving as the General Manager of Scorpion Bay Marina on Lake Pleasant. He took great pride in his twenty-six years overseeing the construction and management of the two marinas that sit today on Lake Pleasant. Cris was the youngest Certified Marina Manager accredited by the International Marina Institute and attained his United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Merchant Mariner Certification at the prestigious level of Master. Cristopher had many interests and accomplishments, but none as important to him as his family.
Cristopher is survived by his heart and soul mate of forty years, Mary McSparen; he will forever be the hero and role model to his two daughters and son in law, Shannon Gonzales and Lacey & Keith James, of Waddell, Arizona; he was the beloved “Papa” of six grandchildren, Cristopher, Dominic, Izabella, Judith, Mackenzie, and Savannah; he is also survived by his brother and best friend Scott McSparen and nephew Bailey McSparen of Homewood, Alabama; his adoring stepmother, Faye McSparen of Yuma, Arizona; and dear stepfather, Jack Haselwander of Portland, Oregon. He stayed in close contact with his large family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Judith Graham McSparen of Yuma, Arizona. Cris embodied the best qualities of his parents, the larger than life presence of his father and the beautiful kindness of his mother.
The family of Cris would like to thank the police, fire, and medics who responded so quickly and compassionately in his time of need. As he spent years responding to emergencies on the lake; Cris treated everyone in their time of crisis with benevolence and empathy. Cristopher respected and honored our frontline men and women calling many of them his dear friends. He played many roles in countless lives as either the sturdy rock, life of the party, or guidance counsel to his numerous employees navigating the world.
The McSparen Family is extremely grateful to the Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) for generously accommodating an official Celebration of Life and Services on February 24th, 2021 at 2:00 PM; open to family and friends at 7007 West Happy Valley Road, Peoria, AZ 85383. For those who wish to celebrate but due to current circumstances or travel, video streaming of the service will be provided. A private ceremony will be held on February 12th, 2021 with Cris’ beloved family in Yuma, Arizona.
Rest in peace, we will love you forever.
Scorpion Bay is Arizona’s premier floating playground, offering everything from daily pontoon and ski boat rentals to slips for harboring your yacht (or dinghy). Come for the fishing or come for the frolicking—either way, incredible mountain views, fantastic dining and world-class marina services await less than an hour out of Phoenix. https://www.scorpionbayaz.com/