Marta Amelia Timmons

Marta Amelia Timmons passed on Saturday, October 10, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones. She exemplified intelligence, kindness, caring, and generosity and brought those qualities to all roles she filled in life.
Born in Detroit to Clayton and Anna Timmons, Marta grew up in Michigan with a backyard that led to a large woods with a river running through it to explore during the school year. Her early summers were spent at a cottage on a lake surrounded by swampy areas and a sand dune, perfect for swimming, sailing, skiing, canoeing and capturing summer pets, snakes and turtles. Somehow her Mother always convinced her sister and her that these pets needed to return to their mothers and school at the end of summer, even the bat and large nest of baby rats. When she turned 13, her parents sold the lake cottage and bought one on Mackinac Island, an island without cars, but with bikes and horses to ride, forts to explore and an active archeological dig just a short boat ride away, that she would later work at in college. She excelled at theater and sports in high school and still held several track records many years after graduating.
Marta lived more lives in one lifetime than most humans on earth. Her accomplishments were so numerous and diverse that we had to create this memorium that respectfully presents her many, multifaceted roles and contributions, complete with testimonials by community leaders who draw attention to her outstanding character. She was and still is an iconic figure and treasured role model. She consistently put everyone else first, positively impacted more lives than we can count, and gave way more than she ever received. This means those grieving her loss are countless. As we all mourn, let’s not overlook her influence and remember that best way to honor her is by living and doing good deeds for fellow humans.



Detective
Marta joined the Missoula County Sheriff’s Department as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in 2001. After completing the basic training program, Marta was sworn in as ‘RD-07.’ In 2007, Marta was one of only four (out of forty) Reserve Deputies to successfully complete an intensive Reserve Deputy Advanced Assessment Program. It was the equivalent to the department’s probationary deputy sheriff Field Training Program.
In 2011, Marta transferred to the Detective Division and investigated crimes against persons. Marta became the “resident expert” in many of the cold cases for Missoula County, including the infamous Wayne Nance serial killer cases. For many years Marta worked tirelessly to identify Nance’s victims and bring closure to their families. Marta participated in various interviews and presentations regarding this case, most recently the Montana Murder Mystery pod cast. Marta was particularly passionate about child abuse and child sex cases. She invested countless hours investigating these types of cases. Marta would turn over every stone and go to extraordinary lengths to seek justice for these particularly vulnerable victims. Marta developed and maintained a positive working relationship with our community and justice partners in this endeavor. Marta took every available opportunity to attend trainings to further her skills with these investigations.
Marta dedicated all these many years of service without pay. This is the grandest example of “service & giving back” that could possibly exist. Marta made a noticeable impact to the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Missoula County as a whole. This really is the greatest accomplishment that a Law Enforcement Officer can hope to achieve in a career.
“Marta was a very important member of our Sheriff’s Office. She was a very intelligent and thoughtful person, who did an outstanding job on all her assignments and earned the respect of her fellow investigators in the detective division and all members of the Sheriff’s Office. Marta had a level of kindness and generosity, unmatched in our community. She was always willing to help those in need within the law enforcement community without wanting any type of recognition for doing so. Marta was a true blessing to our Sheriff’s Office family. She will be greatly missed by all of us.”
- T.J. McDermott, Missoula County Sheriff

Aviator
Inspired by heroes such as Amelia Earhart, Marta was a proficient multi-engine private pilot. She began her Missoula based aviation business endeavors in 1989, opening the charter company Thunderbird Aviation. In 1990, she began construction of a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in the Missoula airport. Northstar Air Express offered all FBO services as well as aerial EMS services. The FBO now operates as Northstar Jet and continues to grow offerings and employment opportunities.
In 1994, Marta became keenly interested in the aerial firefighting industry. She wanted to make a difference with a mission to provide safe, effective, and efficient aerial firefighting services to our Country. She discovered the airtanker company Black Hills Aviation, located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, which operated a fleet of Lockheed P2v Neptune aircraft retrofitted for aerial firefighting. She entered into purchasing negotiations and soon thereafter acquired the company that would be renamed and relocated to Missoula, Montana. Thus, began her legacy with Neptune Aviation Services. Always the visionary, Marta recognized the need for a Next Generation Airtanker. In 2010, leading the industry, Neptune started the Next Generation Airtanker trend, introducing the BAe-146 Airtanker. In 2017, Neptune retired the last of the venerable P2Vs.
Neptune has contracted with the US Forest Service and other agencies fighting fire for over 25 years. Marta has grown the company from 30 employees to over 200. Marta was an innovative leader who firmly believed in the values of Embracing Family (not only her personal family but also the Neptune/Northstar family), Firm Handshake (when Marta gave her word she stood by it), Resilient Spirit (through the good and bad she was here for us). She was committed to the mission of Neptune/Northstar, creating solid jobs for Missoula families and contributing to the Missoula community.

Coach
Marta coached Track and Field/ Cross Country at the University of Montana, Idaho State University, and the University of Michigan. She went on to found the Mountain West Track Club (MWTC) to give women track and field athletes the opportunity to compete post-collegiately. Marta’s original intention for the MWTC was to provide coaching and total support for elite athletes (Olympic hopefuls) to pursue running dreams, goals, and aspirations. MWTC runners include national champions, national record holders, top 10 rankings at the World Championships, and Olympic Teams.
Marta also founded the Mountain West Classic which began first as an elite and collegiate Cross Country Meet in 1990, but expanded to include hosting the USA Track and Field National Cross Country Championships in Missoula by 1993. Within a decade, high school runners were added to the Classic’s competition slate. Today the Mountain West Class is one of the largest high school meets in the nation, hosting over 2000 athletes representing the Northwest region.
Ever the mentor, Marta inspired her athletes to give back and several former athletes are currently employed as college and private coaches. Mountain West Youth Track Club was started with this inspiration by one of Marta’s 800m runners. Since its inception, the club has given high school athletes the opportunity to compete indoors and during the summer outside of their normal school competition schedule. Turnout for the club has been amazing, as there is currently a waitlist for participation. Many of the coaches are former athletes of Marta’s.
“Marta was an advocate for giving women equal opportunity in sport. Her passion for coaching track and field inspired me to become a coach where she continued to mentor and encourage me. I will forever be grateful and she will forever be remembered in my heart.” - Vicky Lynch-Pounds, Head Cross Country/Assistant Track Coach, Clemson University.

Archaeologist, Dr. Timmons
Marta was a dedicated scholar who loved learning from the past by studying archaeology. She earned several degrees in anthropology, receiving a Bachelor of Science with honors from Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University. She also enrolled in graduate courses at Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Montana (UM), earning a Master of Arts in Anthropology from UM and then returning to UM to work on her PhD. She was scheduled to defend her doctoral research on the study of women and children in the American mining West during the fall of 2020. Because she was so close to completion, her doctoral committee and leaders from UM’s Graduate School unanimously agreed to advance her to PhD candidacy. A quintessential overachiever, she earned the respect of many, with past professors and colleagues describing her as always among the top students in every class, as being “meticulous with integrity,” and as someone known for discipline and hard work. She was always happy doing fieldwork and enjoyed getting dirty in the process. The students she mentored adore her and have gone on to make contributions on their own. One of them, upon hearing of her passing, said, she “I keep thinking about how much influence Marta had on my thinking…she really turned my head academically. The world, and UM, is less bright without Marta.”

“Marta's loss radiates out into the broader Missoula and Montana community. We would like to honor Marta's achievements at a future commencement to provide the family an opportunity to celebrate her great contributions.” Note that Dr. Timmons will receive her well-earned, posthumous PhD at a future event TBA.
- Ashby Kinch and Scott Whittenburg, Associate Dean and Dean of the Graduate School, University of Montana

Philanthropist
Marta was a generous donator to many worthy causes. From her commitment to making sure hospitalized children have a teddy bear, to ensuring support for Special Olympics, to assisting with Mackinac Island’s Equestrian Center, her legacy lives on in the hearts of many. As noted in the “Athlete and Coach” section, her support of athletes is admirable; she generously donated to Michigan State, helping to rebuild their Strength and Conditioning Center, including a weight room named for Nell Jackson, a pioneer for women’s track and field, as well as to support their Volleyball Program. She donated funds to build/refurbish Dornblaser Track and Field Complex at the University of Montana and provided support for Montana State University’s Indoor and Outdoor Track facilities, generously giving Montana state of the art indoor and outdoor practice and competition venues. Her heart was especially touched by the needs of women and children.
“Through her generous philanthropy and steadfast personal action, Marta Timmons was dedicated to making life better for women and children in Missoula and beyond. Her passing is a profound loss.” - Cindy Weese, Executive Director, Missoula YWCA.

Hero
Humble, brave, wise, and selfless beyond measure, Marta’s story is one that rivalled those of grand Epics such as Gilgamesh and Beowulf. She was an explorer, a scholar, and most importantly, a hero to many. From her time living in the Italian countryside in a secluded castle, to her days exploring the sands of Egypt in search of hidden artifacts, tales, and evidence of ancient, great heroines such as Hatshepsut, Marta was somebody who never wanted to retire and who never did. She was always looking for the next adventure or conquest, all the while maintaining an air of dignity and mystery, leaving those who admired her to pass along the details of her saga.

Parent, Sibling, Spouse
Marta has a large loving heart as she took people under her care and asked for nothing in return. She offered love, knowledge, and guidance to all of her kids and always supported them for who they are. Under those remedies, her children grew to be independent and strong. Each sharing a piece of her personality and traits, the family will continue Marta Amelia Timmons’ legendary story.
To Marta, family includes those individuals with whom you form a tight, inseparable bond over the course of a lifetime, including, but not limited by biological relationships, with unconditional support no matter the circumstances. That being said, Marta was survived by family members Anne Phillips; her sons Sean, Max, and Oliver; her daughters Maura and Muning; her sister Carol Rearick (husband Douglas); her niece Katie Rearick (wife Rachel Rearick); her clowder of cats; a small pack of dogs; and a horse named Holly. She is also survived by close friends that she considered family, including Kelly Dixon, Mike Pfau, Kristen Nicolarsen, and Jennifer Draughon, as well as many others too numerous to list here. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dennis Sparrow.
"I’m going to miss you so much Marta. You were my second mother, my mentor, my friend, my guardian , my aunt, and most importantly, my Marta Amelia Timmons, the one who taught me kindness, patience, how your supposed to love your family, that family is everything, that all life matters, that it’s okay to be weird ,and it’s okay to be you not what people want you to be. I know I’ll never get to hear you laugh again but at least I have the memories of you smiling and being happy. I hope your happy where ever you are, with Dennis and the rest of your family. The world did not deserve Marta Amelia Timmons and Dennis Sparrow. I’ll miss you but you’ll always be in my heart.” - Max Timmons