Joe Henry Sharp, Jr.

Joe Henry Sharp, Jr., 86, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Longview. Joe was born September 10, 1938 in Jacksonville, Texas to Joe H. Sharp, Sr. and Topsy Sharp. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Joe H. Sharp, III; sister, Nancy Sharp Miller and brother-in-law, Harold A. Neill. Survived by his wife of 66 years, Brenda Castloo Sharp; Daughter, Lesley Sharp; Nephew, John T. Edge and his wife Felicia, their two sons, Tomas and Lucky; Sister, Martha Sharp Neill and children Ellen, Hank (Tracy), Perry (Lindy), Matthew (Nancy) and Andrew (Kathy); longtime family friend, Annette Hall; numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. To his family he was known as “Big Joe”.

A member of the Mineola High School graduating Class of 1956, he went on to attend Southern Methodist University where he earned a BBA in Accounting and was a Certified Public Accountant. He also attended and taught at the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU.

A career in banking that spanned over 60 years, Joe was employed by banks in Mineola, Marshall, Cleveland, Angleton, Jacksonville Dallas and Longview. He was CEO of four of the banks and chief lending officer of two. He joined the Austin family of banks in 1984 with the purchase of Texas National Bank, Longview. It was under his leadership as President of TNB (name changed to Austin Bank in 1996), bank operations expanded into Longview and surrounding East Texas communities. Joe played a significant role in the growth and expansion of Austin Bank. He was currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Austin Bank and Austin Bancorp, inc.; member of the Senior Loan Committee; Dean of the bank’s STAR program; Austin Bank Lending School instructor; and has been a consultant for the bank since his retirement in 2006. Over the years, Joe was a member of numerous civic organizations, on the Board of Trustees at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, and served as a director for the Texas Bankers Association.

Joe and Brenda lived at the Little Sandy Hunting and Fishing Club near Hawkins, Tx. from 1994 until moving back to Longview in January of 2025. He was the president of the Little Sandy Hunting and Fishing Club and also served on the board over several years. Joe loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His favorite way to end the day was to sit on the back porch with Brenda, watching the wood ducks come in to roost. Joe was a kind, caring and humble man. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Joe's Life will be on Saturday, July 12, 2025, 11:00 AM at Beaty Funeral Home, 5320 S. State Hwy 37, Mineola,Texas 75773. For anyone that would like to send flowers, please direct those to Beaty Funeral Home starting on Friday, July 11th.

If anyone so wishes, please consider a donation in Joe's honor to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, Attn: Administrative Office, 3123 W. Marshall Ave., Longview, TX 75604.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Big Joe's nephew, Matthew D. Neill.