John Sharp

JOHN M. SHARP IDAHO FALLS, ID -- John Marlon Sharp was born May 31, 1916, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph Palmer Sharp and Anna Ellen Robinson Sharp. He passed away January 17, 2009, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married Margaret Hannah Rasmussen November 15, 1941, in Washington, D.C., and their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. She passed away in 1989, one day prior to their 48th wedding anniversary. John graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City at age 16. He attended the University of Utah for three years. He then served a mission for the LDS Church in Australia. When he returned from his mission, he continued his education at the University of Utah, receiving a Degree in Law. After receiving his degree, he entered the FBI in 1940 as a Special Agent and served in the FBI throughout World War II. After working in several cities in the eastern United States, he requested a transfer to the West. He was assigned to Butte, San Francisco, and Idaho Falls. In 1947, upon leaving the FBI, he and Margaret decided to make Idaho Falls their home. He was elected Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney and served for six years. Upon leaving public office, he entered private law practice and was a founding partner in the law firm of Sharp, Anderson, & Bush. He practiced actively for 52 years and continued as a member of both the Utah and Idaho Bars for 60 years, until the time of his death. He served on the Idaho State Bar Commission for two years and as President of the Idaho State Bar in 1972. John was the first recipient of the Professionalism Award from the Idaho State Bar in 1992. After his retirement in 1992, he provided volunteer legal services for seniors at the Senior Citizen's Center. He was active in community affairs and served as President of the Kiwanis Club as well as President of the Civitans. John was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings, including Stake Young Men’s President, on the High Council, Counselor in the Stake Presidency, and Stake Patriarch. He and his wife also served together as officiators in the Idaho Falls Temple for more than 11 years. He was preceded in death by a sister and four brothers. He was also preceded by his wife, Margaret, a son, John Richard, a granddaughter, MaryDelsa Sharp, and a grandson, Morgan Richard Sharp. He is survived by his daughters, Pat Persons and Callie (Alan) Avondet, a daughter-in-law, Marylinda Sharp, 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at the Idaho Falls LDS 15th Ward, 2051 South Emerson, with Bishop Steven Parry officiating. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Wednesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Primary Children's Hospital, P. O. Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0249, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho, P. O. Box 453, Boise, ID 83701-0453. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Garth Hall We mourn with you at the passing of a very special man. We cannot be with you as we are in North Carolina. We extend our sympathy and our love. He was a true friend! The Halls David A. & J.R. Jenkins [mar3194@msn.com] Dear Sharp Family, Please accept our condolences and sympathy for the passing of your father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John M. Sharp. Even though there is certainly a joyous reunion going on as your loved one greets much loved family members beyond the veil, there is no doubt that he leaves behind a tremendous sense of emptiness in the hearts of family members left behind. May you have comfort in the sure knowledge that, indeed, Families Are Forever! Respectfully yours, The David A. Jenkins Family Kreg L. Davis kreg@ewscoinc.com John was EWS' capable legal advisor and member of our board of directors for many decades. His contributions were many and significant. EWS will miss him. I will miss him. Carol Goulais cmgoulais@graniteschools.org Pat, Callie and Marylinda, We just heard today about John's passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult parting. We have always admired your family and their many accomplishments; your dad was a kind and gracious man. We loved your mother dearly. Please keep in touch as we would love to know how everyone is in your family, and what is new with all of you. With deepest sympathy, Carol Kirkham Goulais and Family Trish Clement Homer trish@totalsuccess.biz Goodbyes and parting times are never easy . . . but what joyous reunions Br. Sharp is having with those beyond the veil. Pres. Hinckley's words are comforting and peace-giving -- "Every Temple (be it large or small, old or new) is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and certain as is mortality. There would be no need for Temples if the human spirit and soul were not Eternal. Every ordinance performed in these Sacred Houses is everlasting in its consequences . . . " May the Lord Bless You Always, Sister Trish Homer Marci Serr marci.serr@gmail.com I worked with Mr. Sharp for over 10 years at Anderson Nelson Hall Smith and I left the firm just over two years ago. Leaving the firm was hard, because Mr. Sharp was one of the nicest people to work with. He always treated everyone with love and kindness. He will be truly missed. Luana P. (Sharp) Wells jtlpwells@verizon.net I feel like I've missed out knowing the second half of JP and Murr's family. I'm the oldest child of Daphney's oldest child. I'm sorry the family ties weren't stronger to let us know such a wonderful uncle. Thank Heaven for the Gospel and opportunities to make up for lost time in the hereafter. I'm going to make it a point to get to know him better! Much love, Luana (Sharp) Wells. Wildomar, California Richard Bigelow Dear Sharp Family - Please accept our sympathy and condolences on your loss. Bro. Sharp was a wonderful man and we appreciated knowing him. God bless you all - Richard, Ann & Jean Bigelow