Everett T. Sharp Jr.

SHARP, EVERETT T. JR., passed from this life on September 4, 2012 at Golden Living Center in St. Matthews.

E.T., as he was known to family and friends, was born in Shelby County, KY on August 19, 1931 to Everett and Sarah Sharp. He graduated from Shelby County High School in 1950 and later began a 37-year career with Ford Motor Company, starting at the auto plant and loving to the truck plant when it opened. During that time he also spent 32 years as a volunteer firefighter with Highview Fire District. E.T. attended Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

He loved to work on cars and lawnmowers, cut grass with his bush hog mower and try to keep his many bird feeders filled. He talked to the birds, especially the doves. Every morning as he went out the back door they lined up on the porch rail waiting for his "good morning little dovies". E.T. enjoyed his yard, garden, garage and all of nature.

E.T. will forever be remembered and loved by his wife Norma, children and grandchildren. He was a beautiful soul-a gentle, friendly and helpful man. Many years, and a heap of living, can never be completely obliterated-not even by dementia and death. He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. He was so appreciative of everyone who showed love and concern for him during his declining years. During the last six years of his life he lived at Golden Living in St. Matthews. We thank all of the employees at that facility for their dedicated, loving care.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; son Randall Keith Sharp, and infant daughters Cynthia and Amy Sharp.

Survivors include his wife Norma; a son David Sharp (Kathy); daughters Donna Blevins (Dan), Sandra Haley (Michael), Mary Hornek (Joseph) and Sarah Sharp. Grandchildren include Nathan and Adam Sharp, Randall and Bethany Thomas, Cerys Morgan and Brooke Lehrman, and a "bunch" of great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Wilma Mayfield (Rev. Paul) of Mitchell, IN and Martha Foster (Garth) of Austell, GA.

E.T.'s wife Norma sends this message to her husband: The most beautiful and precious things in life cannot be seen or touched, but only felt with the heart. I know that you could see my enduring love, even through the fog of dementia. Go with God. You always loved the doves in our yard, so they will lead the way to where you can be with our son Randy, the babies we never got to know, and your dear Mom and Daddy. I have my sweet memories until we meet again. Thank you for many wonderful years. Your wife, Norma Sue.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2012 at Ratterman and Sons, 3800 Bardstown Road, with the funeral service Friday at 2 p.m., followed by burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

As a firefighter, E.T. worked each year collecting for the Crusade for Children at Highview Fire Department on Fegenbush Lane, and he would surely appreciate any expressions of sympathy to that very worthy cause, or to the Parkinson's or Alzheimer's Foundations for research to help rid our country of these dread diseases, or Hosparus of Louisville who gave him tender, loving care at the end.