Sharp, Jr. Howard Glenn

Howard Glenn Sharp, Jr., 52, of Groesbeck, passed away Monday, July 11, 2011. Born April 14, 1959 in Ohio, Howard was raised in southern California where he remained until moving to Texas in 1992. While in California, Howard served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years, and greatly favored his time serving as a volunteer with San Diego Mountain Search and Rescue Team. There he also met and married Wendy Sharp, and the two raised their daughter Melissa, born 1988. After moving to Texas, Howard became a Boy Scout Leader for several years, was a member of the “Friends of Fort Parker State Park,” where he built and donated a nature center, was employed with the Union Pacific Railroad, and later became engaged to Phyllis Lyons. Anyone who knew Howard knew of his pure love of nature and its beauty. It is truly accurate to state that he spent 90% of his life outdoors while on endless hikes, hundreds of camping trips, endless explorations, and while working every job he had. He shared his passions with his daughter Melissa from the earliest of age, teaching her and others an extensive knowledge of the great outdoors and all its wildlife. Growing up, Melissa recalls there never being a time where there wasn’t some sort of critter (lizards, turtles, snakes, tarantulas, etc.) temporarily residing at the Sharp’s home. Of course, she never minded and actually preferred being an active part of it all. Howard made it clear he was his happiest as long as it involved helping others in any way, big or small, or as long as he could be outside where he could breath the fresh air. Howard is survived by his daughter, Melissa Sharp; his parents, Howard Sharp, Sr. and Carol Johnson; five siblings, Tawny Sharp, Greg Sharp, Melanie Spivey, Becca Young, and Dale Sharp; his financee, Phyllis Lyons, and her daughters, Ashley and Sarah Lyons, and new granddaughter, McKala Price. A small memorial service will be held inside Fort Parker State Park’s camping grounds at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 23. A very close friend of Howards’s, Methodist preacher Cal Huffman, once a neighbor and fellow boy scout leader, has been asked the honor of speaking during the memorial. On July 31, Howard’s family and life-long friends will gather with Melissa in California, at Torrey Pines State Park, overlooking the Pacific Coast, with the most majestic of views, to say goodbye to the loved one who was all too suddenly taken away. Because of his immense love for butterflies, their beauty, and symbolic meaning, the releasing of butterflies will join with Howard as they catch into the wind and fly away to help him find his own place to rest. “and when you finally fly away I’ll be hoping that I served you well... But whatever road you choose I’m right behind you, win or lose Forever Young” - Rod Stewart