Jack Sharp
Jack Sharp, a resident of Opelousas, died at 9:27 p.m. Thursday, February 1,
2001, in Senior Village Nursing Home in Opelousas after a short illness.
He was born October 29, 1908, in Crockett, Texas, to Leonard Hampton (Stell)
Sharp and Elizabeth Spence Sharp. He was the fifth of seven children. He
attended and graduated from Crockett High School. He moved to Houston, Texas,
with his brother Frank Sharp and attended business school there. He later
went to work for Gulf Oil Corp. He was assigned to Louisiana by Gulf Oil and
there he met young Helen Cormier of Port Barre. They were married January 7,
1934. He became a partner in Cormier Motors, Inc. and was part of the
corporation until it was sold in 1970.
Mr. Sharp was very involved in community service having served as a member
and president of the Kiwanis Club of Opelousas, a member and president of the
Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Man of the Year of Opelousas in 1955. He
became a member of the Masonic Lodge in 1952 achieving the title of
Worshipful Master and eventually became a Shriner. He was a veteran of World
War II, and a 34-year member of the American Legion. He was a member of the
Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church and the Methodist Men's Club and
was listed in Who's Who in the Methodist Church" in 1969. He was also
instrumental in the building of The Inn of Opelousas, and served as president
of the building committee. He was a charter member of O.G.H.'s Life's
Champions program. A member and past president of A.A.R.P. and the Young at
Heart Club.
He was dearly loved by many and highly respected by all who came in contact
with him. He was a man of integrity and dignity. It was a well known fact
that the most important things in his life were his wife and family.
His family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff
of Opelousas General Hospital and Senior Village for their compassion and
kindness. They also wish to express their sincere thanks to Rev. Dale
Hensarling for his support and wisdom.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Helen Cormier Sharp, and two
children, son J.C. Sharp and his wife Norma of Lafayette, and a daughter,
Jackie Griffin, and her husband Richard of Opelousas. The grandfather of
four, Cyndi Vidrine and her husband Tony of Opelousas, Jeannene Duhon and her
husband Cornell of Woodstock, Ga., Brad Nezat and his wife Dena of
Prairieville and Steven Nezat and his wife Amy of Opelousas, and the
step-grandfather of two, Mary Lousie Bonadona and her husband Vinnie of New
Orleans and Richard Kuntz of Covington. He leaves behind six
great-grandchildren, Amanda and Nick Vidrine, Chelsea and Amber Nezat, Carmin
Nezat and Torey Duhon, and five step great-grandchildren. He is also survived
by many nieces and nephews, both in Louisiana and Texas.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, Leonard Stell Sharp and Elizabeth Spence
Sharp; a son, Paul Andrew Sharp; three brothers, Leonard, Frank and Wert
Sharp; and three sisters, Martha S. Meek, Laura S. Higginbotham and Edna S.
Little.
Funeral arrangements are at Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church at 2
p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2001, with Rev. Dale Hensarling presiding.
Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home on the Sunset Road in Opelousas is handling all
arrangements. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. today (Friday, February 2,
2001) until 9 p.m. and reopen on Saturday at 9 a.m. until time of services.