Dr. Edward Arthur Sharpless

Ted was born on April 18, 1928 in East Orange, NJ to the late Dr. William Sharpless and Alice Perkins Sharpless Gordon. At 17, he voluntarily entered the military, serving with the Army Air Corp, and received commendations for flying into hurricanes. A 1952 graduate of Rutgers University, he participated in varsity track, tennis and golf and captained the tennis team. Following graduation, he taught chemistry and physics at Pompton Lakes High School in New Jersey. He then moved to North Carolina to continue his education.

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ted earned a MS in Microbiology, then graduated from its School of Medicine in 1961. From 1961 to 1966 Ted became a resident and fellow in pathology at New York University, Bellevue Hospital. He served as pathologist with the New York Medical Examiner’s office in forensic pathology from 1966 -1968. From 1968-1971, he was a pathologist at Alamance County Hospital and Alamance Memorial Hospital. He served as lab director and pathologist at Wesley Long from 1974-1999. At age 70, he founded SR Vet Check, a veterinary pathology business in Greensboro, where he was co-owner and medical director for nine years.

Ted was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society and received the Isaac Hall Manning Award at UNC. After his retirement from tennis due to his knees, he became a Gold Level ballroom dancer.

Ted served as an elder in the 2nd Presbyterian Church NY, NY, and was a long time member of the 1st Presbyterian Church choir in Greensboro, NC. He was also an active community volunteer.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Cy Gordon; and brothers, William and Jack Sharpless. Ted is survived by his wife, Dr. Martha Kornegay Sharpless; daughter, Dr. Elizabeth and husband Dr. Vincent Bonanno of Englewood, OH and their children Vincent, Marianne and Mitchell Bonanno; daughter, Alice McDaniel and husband Stan of Apex and their children Teddy and Lizzy McDaniel; son, Kelly Sharpless and wife Stacey of Silver Spring, MD and their children Peter and Matthew Sharpless; son, Dr. Norman and wife Dr. Julie Sharpless of Chapel Hill, NC and their children William and Leigh Sharpless. He is also survived by his six sisters: Patti Case of Ithaca, NY, Linda Bonin of Roscoe, NY, Sally Shea of Roscoe, NY, Janet Sharpless of Livingston, MT, Connie Lynn of Springfield, IL, Alice Gordon of Longmont, CO, and sisters-in-law Elizabeth Pate of Fayetteville, NC and Frances Sharpless of Tequesta, FL; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

His passions were tennis, the weather, his grandchildren and his dogs, not necessarily in that order.

The family would like to give special thanks to Drs Bruce Brodie, Mary Parker, Brad Sherrill and Frank Houston. Thanks also to special friends Dr. Eric Neijstrom and wife Cynthia, and Ernie Neisel and numerous other lab colleagues and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Sharpless Family Loyalty Fund Scholarship at NC Medical Foundation, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or to First Presbyterian Church, 617 N Elm St Greensboro, NC 27401.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro with Rev. Peggy Matthews officiating. The family will visit with friends following the service in the Virginia Gilmer room.

Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the Sharpless family.