Gary R. Sharp
Gary Robert Sharp, 75, of Bath, SD, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at his home.
Gary Robert Sharp was born on October 7, 1948, to Robert and Beverly (Wise) Sharp in Aberdeen, SD. He attended elementary school in Bath, SD, junior high school in Aberdeen, and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1966.
Gary then attended South Dakota State University and graduated in January 1971 with a degree in Animal Science. On May 8, 1971, Gary was united in marriage to Donna Pettigrew in Aberdeen. Three children were born into this union: Brian, Kristin, and Bradley.
Gary entered the Air Force as an ROTC-commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1971. His service took him and his family to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, where he served as a Titan II Missile Launch officer and intelligence officer. His dedication and commitment were recognized, and he was honorably discharged in 1973 as a First Lieutenant.
After Gary’s discharge from the Air Force, the family returned to the farm in Bath, where Gary farmed with his father. Sharp’s Inc. was formed in 1974 and is still in operation today.
Gary was very involved in several organizations at the community, regional, state, and national levels, some of which are: National Cattleman’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, SD State Fair Commissioner, SD Eminent Farmer, Farm Service Agency County Committee, Brown County CERT, Northern Electric Cooperative Board, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital Board, founder of Brown County 4-H 4-Ever, co-founder of Northern Area Dairy Promoters, American Legion, SD Beef Industry Council, and the Aberdeen Public School Board of Education. He was also a charter member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at South Dakota State University and a member of the Aberdeen Elks Lodge. Gary was also honored with the Brown County 4-H Meritorious Service Award.
Grateful to have shared Gary’s life are his wife of 53 years, Donna Sharp; children: Brian (Gretchen) Sharp of Bath, SD, Kristin (Dean) Johnson of Aberdeen, SD, and Brad (Angie) Sharp of Aberdeen, SD; grandchildren: Dan Sharp, Travis Sharp, Anna Johnson, Norman Johnson, Abi Jo Johnson, Jessemy Sharp, Isaiah Sharp, Ada Sharp, and Wallace Sharp.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents.