Sharon Hunter Doop

Sharon Hunter Doop
February 20, 2025
"Are those steel-toed boots?" Her first words were spoken to me. My plan was working. I had stopped the most beautiful girl I had ever seen right smack dab in her tracks. My boots had been strategically placed in her way. In the aisle. My trap was set. This vision would have to step over my feet to get to her chair. I replied, "No, but would you like to go get a cup of coffee?" She thought for a second, and then replied, "Where should we go?" Without hesitation, and looking her straight in those beautiful brown eyes, I said, "Smitty's."
I bought my Swiss boots on the way to Wenatchee from Turkey. I had been in the Army. I was now in a 9 a.m. Romantic Poetry class at WSU. I sat in the back of the class next to the window, so I could smoke. WSU was pretty liberal in 1970. I wore a black leather jacket. Sharon wore an orange mini skirt. Quite risque, I must say. That is how our 55-year love affair began. Sharon was only 20 years old.
Later, after we were married in 1973, Sharon told me that I had looked like a hood in the poetry class. Upon first sight of me, she had vowed not to talk to me. She "would not give me the time of day." I was some Marlon Brando character in a motorcycle movie. But she talked! Bless those Swiss boots! I still have them!
Sharon taught Title One remedial reading for 30 years and was outstanding at it. In her third year, she taught a boy named Evan. He was from Greece and was new to the USA. Evan did not speak a word of English. Sharon taught that Greek boy to read, write, and speak English. An amazing feat!
Sharon was not only a teacher, but a friend to those students. Sometimes her kids would come to school in worn out clothing. Often Sharon would take that boy or girl to JCPenney and buy them new clothes. When students got sick, Sharon would take homework to their homes.
Sharon could sing like a ringing bell. If you were lucky enough to hear her in her early days you were blessed. Sharon's favorite musician was Joni Mitchell. She could sing like Joni. Sharon's range was remarkable. She was always in key. Her friends would often say, "You missed your calling."
Sharon loved horses. In her teen years, she rode in the Apple Blossom Parade. She and other riders from Moses Lake made up a precision drill team. I can still see her riding, "Thread the Needle". When Sharon and I were in Egypt she wanted to ride a camel. We looked for some camels to ride. They were parked next to the Great Pyramid. Horses worry me but camels make my blood run cold. Very exotic they are. Sharon asked the Egyptian if she could hold the reins. He said, "Do you ride horses?" "Yup" was all she said. He handed her the reins and Sharon dug in. The camel lurched, and at a full gallop, sped my wife away. Watching, I thought, "There goes Sharon of Arabia." The Egyptians selling rides were stunned. Sharon rode that camel way out into the desert. Sharon was in her element and she was in Egypt!
Alzheimer's is a horrible, unrelenting disease. It is the most horrible disease ever thought up in the bowels of Hell. Dante had a ninth circle he was afraid to tell us about. Alzheimer's does not care how smart you are. Sharon was a Phi Beta Kappa in English literature from WSU, but at the end could not speak much of it. Sharon was the bravest person I have ever known. She fought and fought hard. Goodbye Sweet Bear. I will always love you.