Redmond Lindsey Sharp

1933 - 2017

Redmond Lindsey Sharp

Redmond Lindsey Sharp, 83, of Roanoke, VA, a former resident of Redmond, WA, for over 48 years, passed away on January 14, 2017. Born August 17, 1933, in Boise, Idaho, he was the youngest child of Lacy Lawrence and Emma Elizabeth Campbell Sharp.

After a childhood spent in Boise, La Junta, Colorado, and Vancouver, Washington, Red attended Clark College, and graduated from the University of Washington in 1956. Following early employment at Boeing and Peoples National Bank, his career focused for many years on health care and legal administration at University and Providence Hospitals, Group Health Cooperative, the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and The Defender Association in Seattle. A long-time interest in writing and photography led to a degree in Editorial Journalism from the UW in 1983, and a second career as a photographer and journalist. On graduation, he was awarded one of four national editorial internships to Pacific Stars and Stripes in Tokyo, and later was an award winner in photography in the Bellevue Art Museum juried art show.

A long-time community and political activist with a fierce sense of justice, Red was a tireless volunteer in many organizations. He served as a member of the Redmond Arts Commission, and for many years volunteered with the Lake Washington School District as a member of the Community Advisory Council, serving on numerous committees and as Ombudsman. His involvement in that role and as a parent volunteer led to his receiving the district-wide Golden Acorn Award in 1981. As an active volunteer in Seattle-King County Camp Fire Council, Red served as first male leader of his daughter's Camp Fire group, "Father Nature" at day camps, and as chair and member of several committees.

Throughout his life, Redmond was happiest singing and listening to music, fly-fishing, pheasant hunting, hiking, camping, tinkering, and helping others. He was always up for an adventure.

He was preceded in death by his parents and oldest daughter, Kathryn Sharp. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gayle Sharp; daughter, Meighan Sharp (Scott Tate) of Roanoke, VA; grandson and game-playing pal, Toby Tate; son, Christopher Sharp (Holly Clausen) and her children Ivy and Vaughn, of Kirkland, WA; son-in-law, Rod Leonard, of Monroe, WA; sister, Marie Passmore, of Portland, OR; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mich Forster and Paulette Dumont, of Lethbridge, Alberta; a niece and three nephews; and his much-loved black lab, Sophie.

Services will be held at a later date.