Arthur Sharp Obituary

Arthur Sharp
March 2, 1935 - October 31, 2020
Olympia, Washington - Arthur "Duck" Sharp, 85, passed away on October 31, 2020 in his home surrounded by family.
Duck was born on March 2, 1935 in Bremerton, WA to his parents Charles and Lucy Sharp. He was married to Joan (Rossmaier) Sharp, they shared 63 years of marriage and raised five children together. Duck was also a proud grandpa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Duck is preceded in death by his parents and his youngest son, Kenny Sharp. Duck is survived by his loving wife, Joan Sharp, and his children, Steve Sharp (SaraLinda), Diane Black (Greg), Doug Sharp, and Nancy Drake (Jake). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jamie, Matthew, Jerry, Tonya (Dan), Joanna (Cody), and Elizabeth, as well as his great grandchildren, Jaden, Tatum, Kam, Brody, Ryder, and brother Charles "Chuck" Sharp.
He worked for Camas Logging, Bell Systems, and finished his career out with the State, House Senate Communication Department. Duck and Joan had a family-owned seasonal business with his mother, Sharp's Christmas House, from 1963 to 1983. He was a dedicated member of the Matlock Grange #537 for over 50 years.
Duck enjoyed fishing, baking/cooking, bowling, and mowing his lawn. He would bake and cook for family and friends as well as for the Matlock Grange Scholarship Fund. He also loved camping with family and friends as well as attending his children and grandchildren's events. Duck very much enjoyed spending time with his crazy, big family. He was a proud and loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.
You will be greatly missed by so many family and friends. You were the pillar of our family and brought so many smiles and good times to our lives. That grin/smile you showed us all will forever be ingrained in our memories. Thank you for being the person you were. You will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date due to the current restrictions of the Covid-19.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Olympian on Dec. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Sharp

4 Entries

Dan Sharp

December 22, 2020

Talked to my father, Duck’s brother about how he got the name “Duck”. Turns out dad couldn’t pronounce Art, so he called him Duck. Dad said that when Duck started school, his grandfather said now is the time to start calling him “Art”. First time grandpa called for him he called him Duck, so that didn’t last long.

Dennis Young

December 9, 2020

I have known Duck since I went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell PBX Dept when I got out of the USARMY in 1969. I worked with in the same garage for years and helping on the State PBX crew when session was getting ready. I worked with Duck, who I did not know was really Arthur until when he and I worked on the System85 PBX/AP-16 Systems for The Washington State Legislature. When you stay up all night working on very complex problems that are seasons with all of the political intrigue of an AT&T and Legislative personnel you’re Really get to know a person as I did Duck. Later when Duck retired and went to work for the Legislature we worked together on computer, software, and political things that we just shook our heads and laughed at.
I remember when Duck would take his vacation in December when we worked at the PBX Garage and he would come back exhausted from working at his business that he and his wife ran. His boss Ray Forcier always kidded him and said the only reason he came back was to collect his sanity and get some rest working at the PBX Telephone Department. I remember when his grandson got deathly sick from restaurant food and we talked. Touch and go.
I needed to hire an electrician and figured Duck would know a good one from his tour at Legislature. He laughed and said Matter of fact I have a cousin who owns Reliable Electric. Got generator hooked up to house 5 days before the power went off for a week on Johnson Point. Thanks Duck great electricians. I remember a Duck and I were up at Legislature and this older man came up to us. He had known Duck as a kid and was saying that Ducks mom was a real cutie. He had tried after Ducks Dad had died to date Ducks Mom but she had boys to raise. He just looked at us and said she was a real cutie. Duck and I looked at each other and we all laughed.
I really enjoyed working with and knowing Duck.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house. My condolences to family and friends. Duck will be missed by all. Never knew how he got the name Duck.

Glen and Ruth Chamberlain

December 9, 2020

I met Duck in the first day of school when we were both 6 years old. We were both so excited that he poked his finger in my chest and Ifell down the steps. I was so excited it didn't even hurt. We went through 8 years together at McLane elementary school and 4 years together at Olympia High. Duck and I joined the Naval Reserves together and took turns driving to our meetings in Tacoma. We went to Navy Bootcamp in San Diego together. We were blessed to have Duck visit us in our home in both Florida and Oregon where he treated us to his wonderful pies. We have lost a great friend and a wonderful person. Duck you will be so missed.

Glen and Ruth Chamberlain

December 9, 2020

I met Duck the first day of school when we were both 6 years old. He was so excited he poked his finger into my chest out of excietment and i tumbled down the steps. I was so excited that it didn't even hurt. We have been friends ever since. We were in the same grade and went through 8 years at McLane elementary school Then 4 years of high school together at Olympia High. We joined Navy Reserves together and took turns driving to Tacoma. We went through Navy bootcamp training together in San Diego. We were fortunate to get visits from Duck in Florida and Oregon. We tasted some of his wonderful pies. He was a heck of a good guy and good friend and will be sorely missed.

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