David Allen Sharp

David left this current life on September 5, 2018 at the age of 84. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware on June 2, 1934 to Norman Leroy Sharp, Sr. and Beatrice Evelyn Missimer Sharp. He married Nancy Long in Delaware and they had two daughters, Barbara and Linda.

David was baptized as an infant in West Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and professed his faith in Christ at about the age of eleven. From early times, he was known by one and all as “Dave”. At some point in his adult life, he preferred to be called “David”, though he is still known by family and friends as Dave. David attended David W. Harlan Elementary School and graduated from Pierre S. DuPont High School in 1952. He entered the University of Delaware where he joined the Sigma Nu Fraternity. David graduated “UDel” in 1956. A few years later David entered and graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His pulpit ministry began in Fern Creek, Kentucky at Beulah Presbyterian Church. From there, David and his young family moved to Houston where he served at Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church and Trinity Presbyterian in Houston and First Presbyterian in Crockett, Texas. David served Grace Presbytery in the Dallas area by ministering at Glendale Presbyterian in Dallas, First Presbyterian in Bonham, Hyde Park Presbyterian in Denison, First Presbyterian in Celina and Crossroads Presbyterian Church in the Desert Community, where he retired on December 31, 2006. At Crossroads he invited members and visitors to “bring their brains to class” and taught “an ancient gospel for a modern world”.

David was a vibrant, multi talented man with a plethora of interests. He was an Eagle Scout. He studied piano from an early age and became an accomplished classical pianist. The art collection that he amassed was given to the Louisville Seminary in 2007. His voice training began early in childhood after exhibiting his talent at church functions and singing at a downtown Wilmington mission where he accompanied his Aunt Dorothy Missimer. He was enrolled in singing lessons and sang in high school functions. At one time, he was a paid soloist at St. Luke Episcopal Church in the Orlando area, in Florida. His music abilities included conducting and he helped to create a choir at the seminary. David established a music scholarship at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and a track scholarship at the University of Delaware.   He was active in running track in younger years and reveled in teaching track and running skills to young runners. He received a track scholarship to the University of Delaware where he ran hurdles and threw the javelin. David continued to run until an old knee injury curtailed that activity in his mid sixties. He never tired of dreaming about running again and enjoyed many televised track events. A good friend imagined him the other day on September 5, 2018, “running to meet Jesus”!

David is survived by his wife, Priscilla Blanton Sharp; brothers Norman L. Sharp (Martha) and Richard (Dick) Sharp (Phyllis); his two daughters Barbara Sharp Gervais (Tom) and Linda Sharp Bortz (Craig); five grandchildren; one great-grandson and several cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his mother and father and brother, Stephen.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 A.M on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 15859 State Highway 160 in the Desert Community. A visitation will begin one hour prior at 10:30 A.M. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery, 2940 State Highway 160, Whitewright, Texas.