Gerald Francis Sharp

1949 - 2024

Gerald Francis Sharp

August 21, 1949 - March 6, 2024

Gerald "Jerry" Francis Sharp passed away March 6, 2024, in Morgantown, West Virginia. Mr. Sharp was seventy-four years old. He is survived by his wife Vickie, his three sons Jeremy, Benjamin, and Brandon, four grandchildren, Katherine, William, Andrew, and Wyatt, six siblings, and dozens of nephews and nieces.

Jerry was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Sharp family, James Albert Sharp and Jean Dorothy (Rennie) Sharp, both deceased, had seven children, Michael, Cindy, Delores, Gerald, Marguerite "Muggs", Linda and James. The family lived throughout Michigan including Portage and Grand Rapids. Jerry graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1967 and then enlisted in the Marines. Jerry received his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University, then went on to law school at Wayne State University. Jerry, pursuing his dream of living in the mountains, then transferred to Washington & Lee University earning his Juris Doctorate in 1979. After moving to Lexington, he never lived outside of Virginia.

While pursuing his education, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Mary Katherine (Centilla) Sharp in 1970. Jerry and Mary had two sons, Jeremy Clyde St. James Sharp (1971) and Benjamin Gerald Sharp (1975). Jerry and the young family lived throughout Michigan with homes in Grand Rapids, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Portage and Detroit. Jerry was widowed in the spring of 1986. Gerald married Vickie Lynn Sharp in 1988. Vickie is retired and living in Hansonville, Virginia. Jeremy works as an attorney in Charlottesville. Benjamin is a Federal Public Defender in Knoxville. Brandon Keith Miller (1982) manages a thriving restaurant in Bristol.

Upon graduating from law school Jerry took a job with the United Mine Workers of America in Castlewood, Virginia representing miners who were injured on the job. After several years, Mr. Sharp joined the firm of Browning, Moorefield, Lamie, and Sharp, representing injured workers and people seeking disability benefits. Later, Mr. Sharp opened his own firm in Lebanon, Virginia where he worked until his retirement. Jerry served on the board of directors for Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society. A lifelong democrat and union supporter, Jerry always cared about working people. He felt it was important to help others and found that working and volunteering as an attorney was rewarding, meaningful work that benefited the community.

Jerry was an intelligent charismatic man who loved his family and friends, his birthplace Michigan, and his adopted home in SW Virginia. He was generous to a fault and always wanted to make those around him feel comfortable and appreciated. He was funny and lit up the room with his presence. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, gardening, Michigan and Detroit sports, good food, and music. Jerry will be remembered fondly and dearly missed.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Gerald F. Sharp will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, 3 p.m. at Sinking Spring Church at 136 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia. Brief reception to follow.