Dave “Sparky” Stearns, 60, of North Platte, passed away Dec. 31, 2012 at his home. He was born Dec. 14, 1952 to Norman and Delores (Johnson) Stearns at North Platte. He was the middle child, having two older and two younger sisters. As a young boy he spent a lot of time in hospitals and casts due to a hip problem. The result was he walked with a sever limp but he never let it get him down or keep him from doing what he wanted. The North Platte Elks and Crippled Children obtained treatment for him. Dave was a 1971 graduate of North Platte High School. He met his wife, Karen in July of 1972 and by April of 1973 they were married. They would have celebrated 40 years together this coming April. Dave began a career with Sears and Roebuck in 1971 and worked his way up from janitor to department manager. Sears closed the North Platte store in 1993. A year later in 1994, Dave reopened the North Platte store as a dealer store. He ran the store for 13 years and then sold it in 2007 to try and take life easier. Dave loved his Sears customers until the day he died and had a phenomenal memory for what products people had purchased from him over the years. Dave didn’t quite understand how to take life easier. In August of 2009, he and a partner bought and reopened the Barn Store on West Front St. He was the day to day manager, working lots of hours. He enjoyed getting to know a lot of the railroad workers and many of the workers from the supporting businesses at the UP Railroad Yard. He was involved in Jaycees, Elks, Eagles and the Moose Lodges. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman in 1990; and two infant siblings. Dave and Karen have one son, Gregg Stearns. Dave was always very proud of the man his son grew up to be. Dave is survived by his wife, Karen of North Platte; a son, Gregg (Lisel) Stearns of Lincoln; his mother, Delores of North Platte; sisters, Joyce (Gary) Kohn, Donna (Leonard) Moore all of North Platte, Debbie (Vaughn) Patrick of Gering and Karen (Don) Conn of Scottsbluff along with numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. Dave lived in North Platte his entire life and never had any desire to leave. He loved North Platte and the people here and he never met a stranger. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to the Elks Lodge or to the donor’s choice. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2012 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Family will be receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.