Thurmond G. Sharpe Sr.

Born in Chester SC on September 7th, 1932, he was the youngest of 10 children and a son of the late William Edward Sharpe and Lula Ellisor Sharpe. He was the loving husband of Barbara Bolton Sharpe, his sweetheart of more than 72 years.

He was employed by Kline Iron and Steel where he worked as a foreman for 30 years and then Bonitz Construction until his retirement in 1996. He was a Mason and a Shriner in earlier years. He loved country music and taught himself how to play the guitar. Many nights after supper, he would play and sing songs by Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams on his prize Gibson guitar that was a gift from the love of his life, Barbara.

He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 where he was stationed at Fort Jackson.

He was a lifelong member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church, where he enjoyed visiting the sick and the shut-ins, doing volunteer work and going on many trips with the new generation. He was an avid fisherman who loved to camp and spend time with his family. He loved NASCAR and racing and would take his sons to the old Columbia Speedway to watch the races. He was a great connoisseur of hotdogs and loved to drive his sweetheart Barbara, and his black Chevy Pickup Truck all over South Carolina to find the very best one. He was a loyal Gamecock fan and looked forward to a good football game, a good steak and a cold one while watching Hee Haw on a Saturday night. He had a grand sense of humor and always loved to tell a joke or pull a good prank.

He was a Godly man who loved the Lord and loved his family. He trusted the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him in every decision he made in recent days. He enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest.

He was the patriarch of this strong family and his legacy will live on in the lives of each of his children. He never missed an opportunity to teach us a lesson, right to the end. He will be greatly missed.

Thurmond is survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara; son, Grady Sharpe (Melinda) of Columbia; son, Cliff Sharpe (Arlene) of Prosperity; daughter, Kathy Sharpe of Irmo; and son, Mark Sharpe (Joan) of Irmo.

He is survived by 3 grandchildren, Bobby Sharpe, Brian Sharpe and Alex Sharpe (Nina) and 5 great-grandchildren, Riley Sharpe, Josie Sharpe, Makenna Sharpe, Daniel Sharpe and Kylia Carpenter; and

many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by all 9 of his siblings.

Services for Thurmond will be held Friday, February 27, 2026 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1301 Richland Street Columbia with interment at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. in the reception area at Ebenezer prior to the service at 12:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Judes, Tunnel to Towers or American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to thank Linda Davis for her help and lifetime friendship as well as loving support of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Sharpe, Brian Sharpe, Alex Sharpe, Steve Dent, Bobby Wright and Pat Blatt. Honorary Pallbearers will be Terry Dent, Johnny Newman, Charles Bell, Charles Blackwell, Mike Sharpe, Steve Isom.