Daniel Wade Sharp

1974 - 2024

Daniel Wade Sharp

June 21, 1974 - September 15, 2024

Dan was born on June 21, 1974, to Dennis and Patricia Ann (Redmon) Sharp in Corvallis, OR, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. After graduating from West Albany High School in 1992, Dan attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Economics in 1997.

After graduating from The University of Texas School of Law in 2001, Dan began a 23 year-long career as an intellectual property lawyer, serving clients around the world. From working as a talented patent litigator, to serving as Associate Vice President of Research and the Director of the Office of Technology Commercialization at The University of Texas, and most recently, as Senior Corporate Intellectual Property Counsel to Rimini Street. He is a former federal law clerk, serving the Hon. T. John Ward (Ret.) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

In April of 2011, at his law school's class reunion, Dan reconnected with a classmate, Maura Brady. The two immediately fell deeply in love, marrying in 2012. Dan loved Maura with all his heart, as he would say, and was loved by her the same.

In 2018, Dan and Maura founded Sharp Family Vineyards in the Texas Davis Mountains AVA, reestablishing the historic Blue Mountain Vineyard, growing Cabernet Sauvignon at 5,600 elevation in rocky, volcanic soil. Dan put the same passion into the vineyard as he did so many other things. His inquisitive style and thirst for knowledge matched his thirst for good wine, good food, and sharing with good friends.

Whether it was bass fishing, calf roping, competition cycling, golf, hunting, guitar, barbeque, or billiards, Dan pursued his passions with considerable energy and infectious enthusiasm. Dan is remembered as a devoted, loving, generous, open-hearted man, whose loyalty to those he loved never wavered.

Predeceased by his mother, Pat Sharp; Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Maura Brady Sharp; his father, Dennis Sharp; his sister, Dee Sharp Heinz; and husband, Brian Heinz of Salem, OR; four nieces and a nephew; seven godchildren; and countless friends and extended family. Dan is also survived by his constant companions, his beloved spaniels, Waylon and Emmylou.

A celebration of Dan's life will be held at 10:30 a.m., on October 5, 2024, at Hyde Park Baptist Church Chapel, 3901 Speedway, Austin, TX, 78751. Visitation will immediately precede the service beginning at 9:30 a.m., In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution in Dan's memory to ABC House/The Children's Advocacy Center Serving Benton and Linn Counties, based in Albany, OR (abchouse.org.)