Clyde D. Sharman Jr.

Clyde was the third child and only son of Clyde D. Sharman, Sr. and Ella Merle Eastman, Sharman. Clyde was preceded by his loving and devoted sisters, Doris Sharman Walker Glass and Ellouise Sharman Mackinnon. The Sharman family resided at 1245 Willow branch Avenue in Jacksonville’s Riverside and Clyde experienced many memorable summers at the family retreat on Saw Pit River, in Nassau Sound. Clyde graduated from Lee High School and thereafter, joined the Army Air Force in October 1942, assigned to the 9th Air Force, 354th Fighter Bomber Group, 356th Fighter Bomber squadron. Clyde’s love of flying, having received his pilots license at age 14 at Heart Field on Jacksonville’s west side, resulted in him excelling as a fighter pilot and fighter pilot instructor in the P-51 Mustang. Clyde’s experience as a fighter pilot in the P-51 and then the P-47 fighter bomber, flying close air support for General George C. Patton in WW II, profoundly influenced the remainder of his life. Captain Clyde D. Sharman, Jr. was Honorably Discharged from the Army of the United States, having achieved the status of Fighter Pilot Ace and awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.

Clyde returned to Jacksonville to his wife Norma Marie Gett Sharman where he raised and is survived by his three sons, Thomas L. Sharman (Wife Jenel Jones Sharman) Clyde D. Sharman III (wife Peggy Mansfield Sharman) and Walter R. Sharman (wife Esther Eminisor Sharman). Grandchildren, Dana M. Sharman Annunzita (husband Vincent), Mandy M. Sharman, Aidan W. Sharman. Great Grandchildren Ian Vencent and Alex Rives Annunzita and numerous step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and long time friend Doris C. Griner.

Clyde embraced the remainder of his life as an adventure. He believed that the success of a man was measured in his accomplishments that would make life better for generations to follow. He joined the family business (The W. L. Rives Company) and directed it into specialty metals custom fabrication. He founded his own company in 1966 then continued in manufacturing equipment and components for the paper, citrus and chemical industries world wide until his retirement in 1982. He remained involved with his passion of flying, building his own sail plane that he flew from Herlong Field and participated in sail plane competition throughout the south east. Clyde was an avid Sailor. Clyde owned three sailing yachts which he sailed extensively through out the Bahamas and western Caribbean and never visited the Bahamas without prolonged visits at Marsh Harbor, Grand Bahamas Island. Clyde resided in Orange Park, Florida and prior to his final illness continued to design, redesign and build apparatus that would improve the world around us. His latest project was the development and improvement of hydrogen generators used with internal combustion engines that would improve gas mileage and reduce exhaust emissions.

Clyde passed quietly on Sunday September 5, surrounded by his family and close friends, who are comforted in the knowledge that he is reunited with his family and close friends who preceded him.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 P.M., Thursday, September 9th, Clyde’s 89th Birthday, in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Funeral Service will be held at 2 P.M. on Friday, September 10th in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.