John Carl Sharp

John Carl Sharp, 93, of Albion, Michigan died peacefully on April 6, 2020. An avid sportsman, conservationist and civic minded hero to many, John lived a full and complete life helping and serving others.

A member of The Greatest Generation, John served as a Navy Corpsman in South Carolina during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to Albion and embraced the Rotarian motto of Service above Self. With that ethos, John dedicated his life making his beloved community a better place for everyone to live. He was at the center of many critical initiatives in Albion. As the son of one of Albion’s founding members (Dr. Ara D. Sharp) of the Rotary, John was a lifelong contributor and leader of this civic organization. John led a team of men in the organization of the Albion Ambulance Service and provided first aid training to volunteers for many years. He was also a Charter Member of The Albion Area Chamber of Commerce. An enduring mark of his civic interest are the flowers that lined the city’s main streets. He helped organize and fund this beautification project that brought smiles and encouraged a sense of pride with Albionites. John’s interests in soaring led to the creation of Albion’s only airfield and the start of the Boy Scouts’ Glider Group. John went on to become a private pilot and once again served the community by flying to Traverse City each year to pick up and deliver White Fish for the Annual Rotary Fish Dinner. John’s single-engine Piper Cherokee was often seen circling the Millpond near the Albion Cemetery for the Memorial Day Wreath Drop. John was a proud member and Past Commander of the Albion American Legion Patrick Leo Hanlon Post #55.

A lifelong resident of Albion and graduate of Albion High School class of ’44 and Albion College class of ‘51, many people would come to know him through his many business operations in Albion: Sharp’s Hardware for 22 years on N. Eaton Street, manager of The Starlite Drive-In and until his retirement, John Sharp Realty on Superior Street. John believed in Albion and encouraged and mentored many young people to live a life of service above self.

He is survived by three daughters: Diane (Leroy) Jacobsen; Debbie Cunningham; Jane (Marion) Seaton; and daughter-in-law, Carrie Sharp. He leaves behind five grand-children and three great, grand-children: John (Ellie) Seaton with sons Jack and Luke; Annie (Shane) Colston with daughter Ensley; Eric (Betsy) Seaton; John Joseph Sharp and Audrey Sharp. John is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Ara and Louise Sharp; his sister Marjorie Daniels; his first wife Coral May Bender and second wife Shirley Watson and John’s only son, John Watson Sharp.

Interment will be in the Sharp Family Plot in Riverside Cemetery on April 14th. A Memorial Service to honor his life will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Albion American Legion Post #55.