A graduate of McCallie School, he attended Florida State University and graduated from the University of Chattanooga where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, majored in Economics, and received a BS degree in Business Administration. Following his college graduation, he graduated from the Elkins School of Radio Broadcasting in Dallas, TX and Elkins Radio Engineering School in Atlanta, GA, where he received his FCC Engineer's license.
Following his education, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC. During his 2-week break between his basic training and his military service, he married his college sweetheart, Carol Smith Sharpe, and they settled in Columbia, SC until the end of his military service. Returning to Chattanooga, he was hired as a juvenile probation officer by the State of TN, but his compassion for the youngsters who were often returned to the same home environments that escalated their problems, broke his heart, and he decided to seek another alternative.
He then became a supervisor with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of TN, but his heart was still leaning toward the radio industry because of his passion for radio, as a result of his father's co-ownership of WCLE in Cleveland, TN. He then proceeded to pursue his goal in radio broadcasting and was part of the WKIZ radio staff in Key West FL during the Cuban Missile crisis where he worked closely with the US Navy to provide recorded radio show tapes to share with naval personnel who spent weeks at a time in submarines that patrolled and protected the nearby sea during the Cuban missile crisis.
He later decided to return to Chattanooga, where he joined WFLI (JET FLI) Radio, the local Top 40 station during that period, as a deejay with the air name, "Rick Shaw." After many years at WFLI, he accepted a position as Producer for the late Luther Massingill at WDEF Radio.
He was an active and long-time volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Chattanooga Food Bank, and more recently, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that provides bunk beds for children who have no beds of their own. He also served as past president of the Tri-State Rose Society, and some of his happiest moments were spent in a rose garden, where he had more than 125 roses, including hybrid tea, miniflora, old garden, miniature, and climbing roses. He also enjoyed spending time with his large HO gauge model train display.
He and his wife Carol have been 30-year residents of Signal Mountain, where both have enjoyed their log home in the lovely Boston Branch community, and both have also been active members of the Signal Mountain Genealogical and History Society.
As a member of First Christian Church of Chattanooga, he has served as President of the Congregation, taught the Kemp adult Sunday School Class, and served as a deacon and Elder. Both he and Carol served as Chi Rho youth sponsors and enjoyed many retreats with the youngsters, along with their son and daughter, Rick, Jr. and Kristi. On June 26th, 2022, both he and his wife Carol were humbled to have received the honor of Elder Emeritus and Elder Emeritae during the morning worship service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Alfred Sharpe and Alma Teresa Taylor Sharpe and also his sister, Carol Sharpe Carter Price, of Spring City, TN.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol Smith Sharpe, their son, Richard Sharpe, Jr. (Wendy) of Rosenberg, TX, daughter Kristen Carol (Dr. George) Kelley, of Boise, ID, and brother-in-law, Carlos C. Smith, of Signal Mountain, TN.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 2, 2024, in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Rev. Phil Summerlin officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens, in Hixson, TN.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Friday, February 2, 2024, at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate and loving care by the staff of StoryPoint Senior Assisted Living and Hospice of Chattanooga.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bunkbed Ministry, Habitat for Humanity of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, First Christian Church, or the charity of your choice.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com
Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
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