Alan Giles Sharp

1929 - 2016

Alan Giles Sharp
1929 ~ 2016
Maj. Gen. Alan Giles Sharp, USAFR, Ret., age 86, passed away at his home in the presence of his beloved wife, Gloria Lillian Steffensen, in the early morning hours of August 11, 2016. Alan, born to June Bennion and Ida Giles Sharp on Nov. 7, 1929 in SLC, Utah, attended Observatory Boy's High in South Africa, and served an LDS mission while there. He married his sweet Gloria in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on March 20, 1951, and served in the ROTC at the University of Utah, graduating in 1953 with a B.S. in Business Administration and the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Alan's was a life of service, serving in the Atlanta, GA Temple Presidency, and as Bishop. His service was often given through his unwavering kindness and unconditional love for those around him.
General Sharp was a command pilot with over 8,000 flying hours during his 38 years of service flying the C-46, C-119, C-124, C-141 Starlifter, and C-130 aircrafts. Throughout his career he was the recipient of many military decorations and awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars, and the Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon-quite the "Sharp" shooter! Alan also received the Order of the Sword award, the highest award given by Non-Commissioned Officers to a Commissioned Officer. His final four-year assignment was active duty at Robins AFB, GA, as the Vice Commander of the Air Force Reserve, overseeing the worldwide operations of more than 70,000 Air Force Reservists, active duty military, and civilian personnel.
Alan is survived by his wife Gloria and their children: Rebecca Ann Ellis, Stephen Alan Sharp (Alexis), Mary Elizabeth Loumeau (Ronald), David Aaron Sharp (Nancy), 12 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren four step-grandchildren, eight step great-grandchildren, and his two sisters Helen Sharp Madsen and LaJune Sharp Vincent. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Richard Giles Sharp and Milton Giles Sharp.
A viewing will be held at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, UT, on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. Services will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 2450 West 10400 South, South Jordan, Utah, with a viewing prior to the services from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.