Former Mayor James A. Sharp Jr.

SHARP, Mr. James A. Jr., - Age 90, was called home on July 2, 2023, in Avondale, Arizona. Family hour 10:00 AM Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2101 Lippincott Blvd., with a Celebration of Life Service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Lynn Jackson, officiating. Interment Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Thursday. Mr. Sharp will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed Tuesday, July 11, 2023, from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM and Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Services can be live streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceTheQ/
With his passing, the world has lost a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, mentor, and leader.
James was born on May 28, 1933, in New York City to James Alfred Sharpe Sr. and Clementine Banks Sharpe. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps serving with honor until his retirement in 1971. During his military service, he served with Fox 2/7 in Korea (1952-1953) and in Vietnam (1965-1966, 1968-1969, 1971). He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Vietnam and three Navy Commendation Medals, all with the combat "V" for "Valor" during battles in Korea and Vietnam.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, James served as principal aide to U.S. Senator Donald W. Riegle from 1971-1983 managing constituent services for six offices in Michigan. In 1983, he was elected Mayor of Flint, Michigan, the first African-American elected to the office in city-wide elections. He honorably served as Mayor through 1987 and was a member of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church. James was frequently acknowledged for his ability to work with people in other levels of governments to bring about consensus and work together for the benefit of the citizens of Flint and Genesee County. Based on successes noted during his administration including his role in the creation of the Bishop International Airport Authority, the Bishop Airport Commission dedicated the Mayor James A. Sharp, Jr. Conference Room at Bishop Airport in his honor in 2007.
Following his mayorship, James continued his public service in many ways. He served as Vice President of Governmental Relations for City Management Corporation. Additionally, he was appointed by two governors to the Oakland University Board of Trustees (1988-1999) where he served as Board Chair from 1992-1994. He and his wife also established a scholarship to benefit students studying abroad. James was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa in 2017 for his contributions to the intellectual, cultural, commercial and civic betterment of the Oakland University community. He also served on the Board of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Community Resource Council of the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University, and numerous other community-based organizations.
Despite these many accomplishments, if you asked James, he would say that his family was his greatest accomplishment. James served as the patriarch and dispenser of wisdom for his family and his loss will be felt deeply. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Tessie Baltrip Sharp of Avondale, Arizona. James was preceded in death by two sons, Owen Quentin Sharpe of Flint, Michigan, and James Alfred Sharp, III of Royal Oak, Michigan. He leaves behind two daughters, Dolly Sharpe-Barney (David Barney) of Oak Park, Michigan and LaTanya "Tangie" Sharp of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, many of whom were honored to join James in celebration of his 90th birthday. He will also be dearly missed by many other extended family members and friends. His generosity, loyalty, and love will be forever in our hearts.
A celebration of James's life will be held in Flint, Michigan (details to follow). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James's honor to the James A. Sharp, Jr. and Tessie Baltrip Sharp Endowed Fund c/o Oakland University (http://bit.ly/SharpMemorial) or The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc., 1333 E Washington St., Phoenix AZ 85034
(https://www.blacktheatretroupe.org/donations).