Obituary of Elden Sharp

Mr. Elden Leslie Sharp, 86, passed away Friday, October 11, 2013. He was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather and caring friend to all who knew him. Elden was born on May 1, 1927 in Straight Fork, TN to the late Ernest and Zora Sharp. He is preceded in death by his loving wives Patricia McDermott Sharp and Eleanor Taylor Sharp.Elden grew up in Detroit, MI and raised his family here in Jacksonville, FL. He was known to many as Coach Sharp; volunteering his time and passion coaching in the Justina Baseball and Rebel Football leagues for over 10 years in the late 60's and early 70's.

Elden was a World War II veteran. As a member of the U.S. Army, he was training as a tank driver for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. With the help of the GI bill, Elden graduated from Detroit Business College where he played basketball and was very proud of the fact that he never finished a game...fouling-out every single time!

Elden became a very successful businessman. Early in his career, he worked for the railroad and then moved into the tire business with U.S. Rubber; later owning Dixon Tire Company in Jacksonville. He then spent his last 25 years with Atlantic National Bank, which then merged with First Union, serving as an Operations Center manager in Jacksonville, Gainesville and Pensacola.Elden was admired as a fair and hard-working manager who was a mentor to many, always putting his people first.

In retirement, Mr. Sharp was very involved in the Colonial Point Condominium Association, serving on the Board for many years. It is there that he created a new "family"of friends. He enjoyed his remaining years traveling the country with his son Chip, fishing with his son Mike and attending his grandsons' endless football and baseball games. He is survived by his two sons, Chip Sharp of Jacksonville and Mike Sharp of Mooresville, NC, his daughter-in-law Teresa Sharp and two grandsons David & Nathan Sharp, his step-son Todd Taylorand many dear friends who loved and admired him as "family', including his faithful companion and confidant, a beautiful little dachshund named Rusty, who was by his side when he passed.

Elden served as an usher and an elder in a number of churches in the various communities he lived over the years; starting with Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville where he and Pat were married. We are so thankful that he received Jesus Christ as his savior as a teenage boy in Detroit and that he then lived his entire life sharing his servant's heart with all those he encountered. As an avid fisherman, he now joins the greatest fisherman of all time in heaven; where we as fellow believers look forward to being reunited with Elden and our heavenly father for eternity.

The family will receive friends at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32211, on Tuesday, October 15th, 2013 for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the service to follow at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make your tax deductible donations to Stewards of the Game, P.O.BOX 1345, Huntersville, NC, 28070.