Robert Sharp

1934 - 2022

Robert Eugene Sharp Robert Sharp passed away peacefully on December 24, 2022, after a brief illness. He was 88 years old. Born on June 25, 1934, in Liberal, Kansas to Lauretta (Gartung) and Lee O. Sharp, Robert grew up to be the quietest, most humble, and capable man anyone ever knew. Tall, lanky, and handsome, Robert Sharp was the oldest of three sons raised in rural southwest Kansas during the Dust Bowl era. He is survived by his younger brothers Don Sharp of Bend, Oregon and Gary Sharp of Meridian, Idaho. Bob (as he was called) was nearly always taller than every classmate, and at fourteen, he was the starting center in the first organized varsity basketball game he ever saw. He played well. He always played well. Bob Sharp and Elva June Estes met in Dodge City, Kansas in 1952, and they were married there on April 11, 1954. Sweethearts every day of their lives, they celebrated 68 years of marriage just last spring. Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956 and was stationed in Germany, the furthest he ever got from home. Bob and Elva June moved to a farm east of Monett with their two children in 1965 and have called the area home ever since. Elva June passed away in October, and Bob found it nearly intolerable to be apart from her. Although he will be missed terribly, it was comfort knowing they were together again for Christmas. Bob is survived by his son Kevin Sharp and daughter-in-law Erin Riordan of Memphis, Tennessee, his daughter Susan Thomas and son-in-law Clay Thomas of Schertz, Texas, and two granddaughters, Casey Thomas and her fianc{e'}e Joey Saavedra of Ames, Iowa, and Samantha Bly and her husband Andrew Bly of Kansas City, Missouri. Bob's granddaughters were the most important influence in his life, and through his love for them, Papa B (as he was known) learned to share more of his tender side, more of his true self. Bob also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, who adored him, and dozens of friends and colleagues, who could only respect and admire him. Bob Sharp was a building contractor in southwest Missouri, mostly in and around Aurora, and thousands of people owe the roofs over their heads to his consummate abilities. There was never a harder worker, never a man more dedicated to his craft than Bob Sharp, and he built somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 houses during his long career. Some homes were grand and elegant, others were smaller, for families just getting started; he was perhaps proudest of these. A visitation for Robert Eugene Sharp will be held at Buchanan Funeral Home (301 Euclid) in Monett at 1:00 PM, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, with a service to follow at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Monett/Purdy chapter of Habitat for Humanity or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home.