Donald William Sharpe

Donald William Sharpe died Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Summit Place, Little River, SC.

Born August 1, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Donald W. Sharpe, Sr. and Ethelyn Sigrid Eckman Sharpe, and stepmother from infancy Eldora C. Sharpe.

Don attended lower school in Milwaukee, and later lived in Chicago. He graduated from Marquette University in 1955 with a major in business administration. He was an ensign in the US Navy from 1956 to 1960, sailing out of Virginia, and he worked as a Navy treasurer in Japan and Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War. He was also stationed in San Diego, his favorite port.

In 1974, Don married Regina Catherine Gilman in Lombard, Illinois. He worked for IBM, in sales, for over 25 years. His passion was gardening, and he and Regina won “yard of the year” prize for their neighborhood. He and his wife were also devoted and faithful members in the Roman Catholic Church.

The Sharpes moved to Calabash, NC in the mid 90's when Don accepted a retirement package from IBM, and he worked in a nursery in the Myrtle Beach area. The couple enjoyed frequent travels together on cruise ships throughout the world.

Don was always an enthusiastic Green Bay Packers fan, a vocal United States patriot and Conservative voice, a loyal Marquette alumnus, and a loving and supportive husband. He was predeceased by his brother Edward Walschlaeger and his sister Mary Galey.

Don is survived by and will be missed by his loving wife of 42 years, Regina “Sis” Sharpe, and by many nieces and nephews and friends.

A funeral Mass will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, February 11 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium niche.

Memorial donations may be made in Don’s name to Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, 1100 8th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

A guest book is available at www.leefandcrematory.com

Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River /North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.