Earl Sharp

Lieutenant Colonel Earl Sharp, US Air Force, Retired, slipped the surly bonds of earth and joined his brethren of the skies on Wednesday, September 7, 2016. He was born in Batesville, Arkansas, on July 16, 1917. He attended Central High School in Little Rock, and Little Rock Junior College. Although he grew up in Arkansas, he lived most of his life in Texas calling Lubbock home for more than 50 years prior to his move to Denton, Texas, in 2007.

Earl loved to fly. At the age of 21, he received his pilot’s license and went on to fly for 70 years, ending his aviation career at the age of 91.

Earl enlisted in the 154th Observation Squadron of the Arkansas Air National Guard in 1939 as a communications specialist. After the Pearl Harbor attack, he wanted to fly and took a screening test for pilot training that would lead to his becoming a member of the Army Air Corps. In 1942, the 154th was moved to Daniel Field in Augusta, Georgia, where he met the love of his life, Marguerite Pearre. They were married on September 28, 1945, after the end of WWII. They enjoyed 48 years together before her death in 1994.

Earl was a hero. His humble nature would never accept this fact. Just as so many of his fellow members of the Greatest Generation would say, “I was just doing my job.” After completing advanced pilot training, Earl was assigned the B-17 (another love of his life) and was stationed in Ridgewell, England, serving in the 381st Bomb Group. He lost his “argument with a burst of flak” on his 17th mission over Germany. After leaving his burning plane, Earl was badly injured and was rescued by four German soldiers who got him to a hospital where he was saved by a kind German physician, Dr. Werner Gericke. They became lifelong friends. Earl remained in the hospital for 2 ½ months before being transferred to Stalag Luft III where he was a prisoner of war until liberated on April 29, 1945. He went on to serve 22 years in the United States Air Force.

Earl, affectionately known as Poppi, was kind, giving – a true gentleman. Ever easy-going and matter of fact, he accepted life as it came and always, always lived by the Golden Rule. He loved his Lord and Savior, Big Band music, dancing with his girls, a good joke, watching college football and golf, his “fine” cat, Tippi, and cooking! His beans and rice will be missed by many!

Earl is survived by his only child, Lisa Sharp Miller and husband Stan, two loving granddaughters, Lindsey Miller and Kristin Stewart and husband Jason, and his two great grandsons, Brooks Melson and Conner Stewart, all of Denton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite, parents, Clyde and Jenny Sharp, brothers, Claude, Eugene and Kenneth Sharp, and sister May Reaves.

The family would like to extend many thanks to all who have been at his side including his loving care team from Kind Companions, our friends at First Choice Home Health and Heaven at Home, and our angels from Accolade Hospice who have made such a difference!

A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 12, at 1 p.m. in the Cole Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Denton. A reception will be held following the service at Lake Forest Good Samaritan Village, 3901 Montecito Drive, Denton, Texas. Burial will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Good Samaritan Society-Lake Forest Building Fund, 3901 Montecito Drive, Denton, Texas, 76210, or a charity of your heart.