Gary Lynn Sharp, 86
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Gary Lynn Sharp, of Orange Park, Florida, died early Sunday morning, October 20, 2024, with his family at his side.
Gary was born March 4, 1938 in Seymour, Tennessee, the second son of Tom B. “Jack” Sharp and Elizabeth Ellis Sharp, and grew up on a farm that had been in his family since before Tennessee was a state. After graduating from high school, Gary studied one year at the University of Tennessee and then decided to enlist in the United States Army. Shortly after joining the Army, Gary married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Armstrong, whom he had dated since high school and with whom he embarked on a 68-year journey of happiness and fulfillment. Assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Gary was trained as a paratrooper and a military air traffic controller. Gary then left the Army in 1964 to pursue a career with the Federal Aviation Administration as a civilian air traffic controller. He was initially assigned to a control center in Miami, Florida and was then later transferred in 1968 to the Jacksonville air traffic control center in Hilliard, Florida. Gary loved controlling air traffic and took great pride in his abilities to safely do so. He was highly respected by his peers and by the control center’s management. Gary worked at the Hilliard center until he retired after serving his country for almost forty years.
After retirement Gary continued to pursue activities and hobbies that he loved–boating, building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes, cycling, and traveling with Barbara. For many years Gary was involved in the James Boys organization at Orange Park United Methodist Church rebuilding and restoring hundreds of bicycles which were then donated to people needing them. Additionally, the James Boys annually provided reconditioned bicycles to be given away as Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.
Most of Gary’s time in retirement, however, was spent with his seven grandchildren attending innumerable soccer, basketball, and baseball games, school plays, dance recitals, tennis tournaments and other activities where he always provided support and encouragement. Gary, or “Pop” as he was affectionately known to his grandchildren, also taught each of his grandchildren how to safely drive an automobile. Most importantly, as the patriarch of the family Gary set a wonderful example of morality and decency which he successfully instilled in his children and grandchildren. His daughters, Linda and Amy, and their husbands Greg Maxwell and Sean Cronin, will be forever indebted to Gary for the love and guidance he provided to their children, all of whom are now successful and thriving adults.
Gary is survived by his devoted wife Barbara, his older brother Don Sharp and Don’s wife Mary-Nelle Sharp of Hendersonville, Tennessee; his sister Marilyn McCarrell of Seymour, Tennessee; his daughters Linda Sharp Maxwell (Greg) and Amy Sharp Cronin (Sean); his seven grandchildren Thomas S. Maxwell (Amanda) of Nashville, Tennessee, Nathan E. Maxwell (Caitlin) of Portsmouth, Virginia, Elizabeth M. Cronin (Forrest Murphy) of Gainesville, Florida, Adam B. Cronin (Jenny) of Arden, North Carolina, Claire B. Maxwell of Brooklyn, New York, Ryan H. Cronin of Fleming Island, Florida, and Olivia L. Blocker (Rashaid) of Orlando, Florida. Additionally, Gary is survived by his four great-grandchildren Iris Maxwell, Sterling Maxwell, Nolan Cronin and Stella Murphy.
Gary Lynn Sharp was a man of faith, duty and honor. Unlike many of us who know we should strive to achieve these qualities but often fail to do so, Gary lived and demonstrated them every day of his life. His was a life well lived and he is truly worthy of the praise—well done my good and faithful servant!
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11:00am in the chapel of Russell Haven of Rest with Patrick Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to services at 10:00am in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Orange Park United Methodist Church’s James Boys Bicycle fund, https://www.opmethodist.org/james-boys.
Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720