Janet Arnold Sharp

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, James W Sharp and her parents Bob and Gracie Arnold.

Jan was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Southwest High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. A lifelong member of her beloved Kappa Alpha Theta, Jan often said the women of Theta were the sisters she never had.

Throughout her husband Jim’s career with Armco Steel, the family relocated five times before his retirement. In every new city, Jan found friendship and community through Kappa Alpha Theta. She held nearly every leadership role, including serving as state chapter President. Jan was also deeply involved as a docent at the Wichita Zoo and with the American Indian Foundation. She had a profound love for animals and a deep appreciation for the Native American way of life and their beautiful art.

Jan was a creative person and artist as well as an entrepreneur, successfully starting and running two businesses. She loved to paint and passed that love on to her granddaughter Erin.

Jim and Jan shared a love of travel and explored destinations around the world, immersing themselves in different cultures. They became avid bird watchers and eventually brought this passion to Florida, where they spent many months each year. After Jim’s passing, Jan moved to Florida permanently, where she was surrounded by longtime friends she loved so much. She was very active in her church in Florida, participating in the choir and Bible studies and enjoyed trying new restaurants with her many friends.

Jan is survived by her son, David of St. Louis, his two daughters, Hanna Parsons(husband Justin and children Lillian and Kirkland; and Katie Tosie (husband Kyle and children Quincy and Sterling); and her daughter, Susan, and husband Gregory of Weatherford, Texas, along with their children, son Nick (and his wife, Meagan) and daughter Erin.