Colonel George Rhea Sharp

Colonel George Rhea Sharp

Col. Sharp was called home on Monday, March 28, 2016, by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after many battles with C.O.P.D. and coronary artery disease. He was born on June 14, 1926. He attended schools in the South Park School District and was baptized at South Park Baptist Church in 1938. He graduated from South Park High School in 1943, after which he attended Lamar Junior College. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in December of 1943 and was called to active duty as a Flying Cadet in 1944. At the end of World War II, he was discharged but remained in the United States Army Air Corps Reserve. He graduated from Texas A& M University in 1948. He was proud to be known as one of the “Greatest Generation.”

Col. Sharp served thirty-one years in the United States Air Force. He was ultimately separated from the United States Army Air Corps to become part of the United States Air Force in 1947. He served seven years active duty and the balance as an active reservist. After becoming an Air Force officer, he was chosen to command four times. He retired in October 1974 as a Colonel 0-6 when he failed to receive a “Star.” He received twenty awards and many commendations. At his retirement, he received the Department of Defense “Meritorious Service Medal” presented in the name of the President and several commendation medals. He also received the highest Texas Award, the “Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal”, for his long and dedicated service to the Texas National Guard.

While not serving in the military, Col. Sharp returned to the South Park School District, serving as a math teacher for honor students. During the next four years, he enrolled on Saturdays and the summer months at the University of Houston to earn two masters of education degrees in administration and counseling.

Since Col. Sharp’s retirement, he has been a strong advocate for veterans and their families. For five years, he served with Chaplain Marv Howland to provide graveside honors to deceased veterans. Col. Sharp also provided services to other groups such as: Military Officers of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and P.O.W. groups. For almost twenty years, he has awarded four year endowed opportunity scholarships at Texas A&M University to six honor students. He has financially supported Texas A&M in other ways as well.

In addition, Col. Sharp has assisted Texas veterans who were drafted prior to high school graduation to receive their original high school diplomas. He also has assisted many veterans to receive their military awards due for earlier military service, many of whom were unaware of the entitlements. 

As a product of the greatest generation, he was honored to be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in Lone Star Honor Flight #5 to take World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the recently completed World War II Memorial. The group viewed all the other memorials, including the Arlington National Cemetery to see the changing of the Guard at 5:00 p.m.

He is survived by his wife, Janelle Sharp; children, James Kay and his wife, Carmen; Margaret Wade and her husband, Donnie; John Vest and his wife, Lorna; and Sue Hasket and her husband, Johnny; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and sister, Rita Kennedy.

He is preceded in death by his father, Alexander D. Sharp; mother, Georgia Dana Sharp; stepmother, Ema Hewes Sharp; stepsiblings, Elliot and Elizabeth; and first wife, Billie Grider Sharp.

A gathering of Col. Sharp’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North Eleventh Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a church of one’s choice; American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, New York 10023; National Pro-Life Alliance, 5211 Port Royal Road Suite 500, Springfield, Virginia 22152; International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 30 North LaSalle Street Suite 4300, Chicago, Illinois 60602; Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belford Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256; or to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.

Col. Sharp’s family, colleagues, former students, and many friends will surely miss his daily presence in their lives. He will long be remembered for his enduring legacy of the significant influences brought to bear on many lives which he touched.

May he rest in peace.