Kay Sharp

Kay Belknap Sharp passed away peacefully at her home in Houston on Monday, the 2nd of February 2026. Born on the 27th of March 1936, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Helen Lucille Shoemate Belknap and Harold Raymond Belknap, Kay lived a life defined by energy, generosity, and a deep love for people, animals, and the arts.

She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1958 with a degree in zoology. During her years at OU, she served as head cheerleader throughout the celebrated Bud Wilkinson era and was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She proudly attended the Orange Bowl championships in 1956 and 1958, cheering on the Sooners during one of the most successful periods in the university’s history.

Following graduation, Kay trained in medical technology at St. Francis Hospital on Oahu, Hawaii. While there, she embraced island life, learning to hula dance and surf, and experienced the historic moment of Hawaii’s statehood in 1959. She later moved to Houston, where she worked as a Laboratory Technologist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital.

In addition to her medical career, Kay pursued her love of performance, singing and dancing in musical theatre productions at Houston’s Little Theatre alongside fellow performers Tommy Tune and Patrick Swayze. She later built a successful career in real estate, forming lasting relationships throughout the Houston community.

She served as an early chairman of both the Opera Ball and the Zoo Ball (Go Go Gorilla!) and contributed her time to the boards of Planned Parenthood and Channel 8. She was a member of the Junior League, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, The Forest Club, and The Bayou Club.

Her life was surrounded by wildlife and pets of all kinds: dogs, multiple litters of puppies, parrots, ferrets, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and peacocks; never mind, the neighborhood stray cats, racoons & opossums.

For more than forty years, Kay shared a close friendship and companionship with Maria Cruz “MC” Terrazas, whose loyalty, kindness, and unwavering presence became a cherished part of Kay’s daily life. MC’s friendship and care brought comfort, laughter and steadfast support to kay and her family for decades.

The family also extends their sincere thanks to Mary Cruz’s son Francisco, Kim Kendricks, Juan Lopez, and Dinah Dirks for their kindness and devoted care.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Dr. Hal Belknap, Jr.; her nephew, Hal Belknap III; her sister-in-law, Judy Vergara Sharp; and her beloved husband of thirty-eight years, Dudley C. Sharp, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Gigi Sharp and her husband George Gilpin III, and their sons, George, and Henry; Tina Sharp McMackin and her husband Tyler Bobbitt, and their children, Martha, and Crawford and his wife Claire; Lucy Sharp and her children, Amber Meyer, and Jason Meyer and his wife Amanda, and their daughter, Lila. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Dr. Jamie Belknap, José Vergara, Alexander Vergara, and Agustín Vergara.

A private graveside service is to be conducted at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Houston SPCA, honoring Kay’s lifelong love of animals. You may select the "Donations"

link below.

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