BENJAMIN THOMAS SHARP II

BENJAMIN THOMAS SHARP II Benjamin Thomas Sharp II, 87, of Prairie Village, KS passed away peacefully June 29th. Ben is survived by Joyce Driver Sharp, his wife who he was happily married to for 20 years and his loving daughter Gail Christine Sharp of Evergreen, CO. Ben was fond of his step-children and is survived by his step-son, Winslow H. Cady (Paula), Denver, CO, step-daughter, Carolin H. Cady, Salt Lake City, UT, step- grandson, Dustin Cady (Mary), Colorado Springs, CO and step- granddaughter, Kelsie Cady Boulder, CO. Ben is also survived by his sister Catherine Dickey Sharp Seidlitz, Plano, TX, nephew, John Richards Seidlitz JR. (Grace), Plano, TX, niece, Dickey Seidlitz Johnson, Plano, TX and niece, Carol Seidlitz Webster (Mark) of Denver, CO along with 3 great nieces, a great nephew (predeceased Ben) and 4 great-great nephews/nieces. Ben was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Thompson Sharp. Ben was born August 12, 1928 in Kansas City, MO to Marion Bates Sharp and Madeline Dickey Sharp. Ben was brought into this world and subsequently named after his paternal grandfather Dr. Benjamin Thomas Sharp. His maternal grandfather, Walter S. Dickey, was owner of Dickey Clay Co. as well as The Kansas City Journal Post newspaper. Ben graduated from Southwest High School in 1941 and the University of Missouri School of Engineering in 1945. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Ben joined his father in business, Sharp Color Press in 1945 and later founded Sharpgraphics in 1972. He merged his business into LJS Graphics in 1999 and retired in 2001. He loved travelling the world with Joyce. On their first anniversary they sailed from Singapore to Bali. They were very fond of their 10 winters spent on Kauai helicopter touring and zip lining. He especially enjoyed captaining his boat, "Asatack", at the Lake of the Ozarks, coving out with friends and family. He was an expert modeler and built dozens of trains, cars and historical ships. Ben built one of the most intricate miniature railroads in the Midwest which he later donated to the Greater Kansas City Model Railroad Club. Ben especially loved 40 years of annual ski trips with his closest K.C. buddies. He was a former member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Printing Industry Association and the Advertising Sales & Executive Club. He was a former member of The Kansas City Country Club and the Kansas City Club. Ben was president of the Kansas City Ski Club and organizer of the Club's first ski trip to Germany and Austria. Ben belonged to Mission Hills Country Club and the Vanguard Club. A memorial service and celebration of Ben's life will be held at Mission Hills Country Club on July 16th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice. Please offer condolences and fond memories at www.johnsoncountychapel.com. J