Wayne R. Sharp, age 77, passed away at Bronson at Home Good Samaritan Hospice Residence after a long period of ill health.
He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1956 and over the years enjoyed serving on his class reunion committee. He also graduated from the Western Michigan University School of Business in 1960, where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity.
After his college days Wayne worked for the J.C. Penny Corporation as Assistant Manager of the Battle Creek store, which at that time was located downtown. He subsequently worked for Standard Oil as a Field Service Representative but upon the death of his father in 1962 he assumed ownership of the V.J. Sharp Agency, a Battle Creek firm, also located downtown.
Wayne was a Battle Creek Independent Insurance Agent from that time forward as owner of Sharp Insurance Agency. During that time he acquired a number of smaller local agencies and may have had the first insurance office computer system used locally. In 1996 Sharp Insurance merged with the Burnham Insurance Group. In 2002 the Burnham Insurance Group merged with Hub International. Wayne greatly valued his personal relationships there until and beyond his retirement in 2003.
Wayne was widely respected in the insurance profession for his knowledge and expertise. His customers valued the care and attention he gave to their needs. But for Wayne it was a two-way street because he appreciated his customers as individuals and worked tirelessly on their behalf. Sharp Insurance made a significant contribution to the Binder Park Zoo in the Zoo's early years.
Wayne loved to travel. Of the many tours, cruises and adventures he took he probably would have chosen his "CAPETOWN TO CAIRO" African trek as his favorite. However, a Disney Cruise with his family was closest to his heart. He also had much pleasure and fond memories of time spent over many years at his vacation homes and condos. He loved cars. Unfortunately he never had the good luck to own a Bentley, the car of his dreams. He loved dogs but as his health failed he found he needed to enjoy those who belonged to others.
He was a member of the Battle Creek Country Club, The Hobe Sound Golf Club and the Knife and Fork Club.
Wayne grew up attending the First Presbyterian Church and in recent years enjoyed services at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago when he spent time in that city.
He is survived by his wife, Carole of Battle Creek and his son, Lee of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by two nieces and their families who over the years greatly enriched his life. Anne McDonald lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Jim, and children Grady and Augustus (Gus). Beth Cole lives in Chicago with husband, Chris, and children Maxwell and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Vernon and Neenah Sharp.
A Visitation to pay respects will take place today at Farley-Estes and Dowdle Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015. Burial will take place in June at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials in remembrance of Wayne may be made to Bronson at Home Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Published in Battle Creek Enquirer Jan. 25, 2015 Page C2 Col.
He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1956 and over the years enjoyed serving on his class reunion committee. He also graduated from the Western Michigan University School of Business in 1960, where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity.
After his college days Wayne worked for the J.C. Penny Corporation as Assistant Manager of the Battle Creek store, which at that time was located downtown. He subsequently worked for Standard Oil as a Field Service Representative but upon the death of his father in 1962 he assumed ownership of the V.J. Sharp Agency, a Battle Creek firm, also located downtown.
Wayne was a Battle Creek Independent Insurance Agent from that time forward as owner of Sharp Insurance Agency. During that time he acquired a number of smaller local agencies and may have had the first insurance office computer system used locally. In 1996 Sharp Insurance merged with the Burnham Insurance Group. In 2002 the Burnham Insurance Group merged with Hub International. Wayne greatly valued his personal relationships there until and beyond his retirement in 2003.
Wayne was widely respected in the insurance profession for his knowledge and expertise. His customers valued the care and attention he gave to their needs. But for Wayne it was a two-way street because he appreciated his customers as individuals and worked tirelessly on their behalf. Sharp Insurance made a significant contribution to the Binder Park Zoo in the Zoo's early years.
Wayne loved to travel. Of the many tours, cruises and adventures he took he probably would have chosen his "CAPETOWN TO CAIRO" African trek as his favorite. However, a Disney Cruise with his family was closest to his heart. He also had much pleasure and fond memories of time spent over many years at his vacation homes and condos. He loved cars. Unfortunately he never had the good luck to own a Bentley, the car of his dreams. He loved dogs but as his health failed he found he needed to enjoy those who belonged to others.
He was a member of the Battle Creek Country Club, The Hobe Sound Golf Club and the Knife and Fork Club.
Wayne grew up attending the First Presbyterian Church and in recent years enjoyed services at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago when he spent time in that city.
He is survived by his wife, Carole of Battle Creek and his son, Lee of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by two nieces and their families who over the years greatly enriched his life. Anne McDonald lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Jim, and children Grady and Augustus (Gus). Beth Cole lives in Chicago with husband, Chris, and children Maxwell and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Vernon and Neenah Sharp.
A Visitation to pay respects will take place today at Farley-Estes and Dowdle Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015. Burial will take place in June at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials in remembrance of Wayne may be made to Bronson at Home Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Published in Battle Creek Enquirer Jan. 25, 2015 Page C2 Col.
Wayne R. Sharp, age 77, passed away at Bronson at Home Good Samaritan Hospice Residence after a long period of ill health.
He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1956 and over the years enjoyed serving on his class reunion committee. He also graduated from the Western Michigan University School of Business in 1960, where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity.
After his college days Wayne worked for the J.C. Penny Corporation as Assistant Manager of the Battle Creek store, which at that time was located downtown. He subsequently worked for Standard Oil as a Field Service Representative but upon the death of his father in 1962 he assumed ownership of the V.J. Sharp Agency, a Battle Creek firm, also located downtown.
Wayne was a Battle Creek Independent Insurance Agent from that time forward as owner of Sharp Insurance Agency. During that time he acquired a number of smaller local agencies and may have had the first insurance office computer system used locally. In 1996 Sharp Insurance merged with the Burnham Insurance Group. In 2002 the Burnham Insurance Group merged with Hub International. Wayne greatly valued his personal relationships there until and beyond his retirement in 2003.
Wayne was widely respected in the insurance profession for his knowledge and expertise. His customers valued the care and attention he gave to their needs. But for Wayne it was a two-way street because he appreciated his customers as individuals and worked tirelessly on their behalf. Sharp Insurance made a significant contribution to the Binder Park Zoo in the Zoo's early years.
Wayne loved to travel. Of the many tours, cruises and adventures he took he probably would have chosen his "CAPETOWN TO CAIRO" African trek as his favorite. However, a Disney Cruise with his family was closest to his heart. He also had much pleasure and fond memories of time spent over many years at his vacation homes and condos. He loved cars. Unfortunately he never had the good luck to own a Bentley, the car of his dreams. He loved dogs but as his health failed he found he needed to enjoy those who belonged to others.
He was a member of the Battle Creek Country Club, The Hobe Sound Golf Club and the Knife and Fork Club.
Wayne grew up attending the First Presbyterian Church and in recent years enjoyed services at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago when he spent time in that city.
He is survived by his wife, Carole of Battle Creek and his son, Lee of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by two nieces and their families who over the years greatly enriched his life. Anne McDonald lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Jim, and children Grady and Augustus (Gus). Beth Cole lives in Chicago with husband, Chris, and children Maxwell and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Vernon and Neenah Sharp.
A Visitation to pay respects will take place today at Farley-Estes and Dowdle Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015. Burial will take place in June at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials in remembrance of Wayne may be made to Bronson at Home Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Published in Battle Creek Enquirer Jan. 25, 2015 Page C2 Col.
He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1956 and over the years enjoyed serving on his class reunion committee. He also graduated from the Western Michigan University School of Business in 1960, where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity.
After his college days Wayne worked for the J.C. Penny Corporation as Assistant Manager of the Battle Creek store, which at that time was located downtown. He subsequently worked for Standard Oil as a Field Service Representative but upon the death of his father in 1962 he assumed ownership of the V.J. Sharp Agency, a Battle Creek firm, also located downtown.
Wayne was a Battle Creek Independent Insurance Agent from that time forward as owner of Sharp Insurance Agency. During that time he acquired a number of smaller local agencies and may have had the first insurance office computer system used locally. In 1996 Sharp Insurance merged with the Burnham Insurance Group. In 2002 the Burnham Insurance Group merged with Hub International. Wayne greatly valued his personal relationships there until and beyond his retirement in 2003.
Wayne was widely respected in the insurance profession for his knowledge and expertise. His customers valued the care and attention he gave to their needs. But for Wayne it was a two-way street because he appreciated his customers as individuals and worked tirelessly on their behalf. Sharp Insurance made a significant contribution to the Binder Park Zoo in the Zoo's early years.
Wayne loved to travel. Of the many tours, cruises and adventures he took he probably would have chosen his "CAPETOWN TO CAIRO" African trek as his favorite. However, a Disney Cruise with his family was closest to his heart. He also had much pleasure and fond memories of time spent over many years at his vacation homes and condos. He loved cars. Unfortunately he never had the good luck to own a Bentley, the car of his dreams. He loved dogs but as his health failed he found he needed to enjoy those who belonged to others.
He was a member of the Battle Creek Country Club, The Hobe Sound Golf Club and the Knife and Fork Club.
Wayne grew up attending the First Presbyterian Church and in recent years enjoyed services at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago when he spent time in that city.
He is survived by his wife, Carole of Battle Creek and his son, Lee of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by two nieces and their families who over the years greatly enriched his life. Anne McDonald lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Jim, and children Grady and Augustus (Gus). Beth Cole lives in Chicago with husband, Chris, and children Maxwell and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Vernon and Neenah Sharp.
A Visitation to pay respects will take place today at Farley-Estes and Dowdle Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015. Burial will take place in June at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials in remembrance of Wayne may be made to Bronson at Home Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Published in Battle Creek Enquirer Jan. 25, 2015 Page C2 Col.
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