SAMUEL L. SHARP

1941 - 2016

"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rainfall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand." Loving husband, adoptive "Papa", inspiring teacher, mentor, and cherished friend and colleague, Sam Sharp went with the angels to his final resting place on March 17, 2016. Sam was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on March 20, 1941, to Thomas and Grace Sharp and grew up in La Mesa, CA, marrying his high school sweetheart Beverly Sanders. They were married for 53 wonderful and memorable years. Graduates of Helix High School and San Diego State University, the couple moved to El Centro where Sam began a successful 30 year career at Central Union High School. There he had the privilege of inspiring, motivating and challenging his students to engage in the classes he loved and taught, US Government and US History. Sam later went on to serve as a respected and valued administrator who continued to be a very special part of the fabric of Central Union High. Upon retiring Sam and Bev returned to Wyoming, settling in Pinedale in 2000. An avid fly fishing aficionado, Sam also delighted in collecting fine bamboo fly rods and hand tying his own flies. He immensely enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and hunting as well as fishing. Sam and his wife traveled over much of the western hemisphere from Europe, Mexico, Alaska, Costa Rica and beyond and later enjoyed spending time in an idyllic vacation home they built on a beautiful beach in Baja. Sam is survived by his wife, Bev of Pinedale, Wyoming; his sisters, Nancy Bates and Maureen Padilla of San Diego; brother-in-law, Paul (Erin) Sanders; sister-in -law, Janice Sanders and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his wife, family and his numerous friends and colleagues as well as many former students in the Imperial Valley. In honor of his life and legacy and to honor his gift for inspiring students, a memorial scholarship fund is being established in his name. For more information about how to make a contribution, please contact Pat at patmmaruca @aol.com