John Glenn Sharp

“The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy, and a gentleman. And, of course, he’ll have to be a genius – for he’ll have to feed and clothe a family on a policeman’s salary.”

John “Glenn” Sharp was all of those things and so much more. John Glenn Sharp, 78, of Moses Lake, died April 29, 2009, after a long battle with both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

He was born Feb. 7, 1931, in Malta, Mont., to John Richard and Sarah Elizabeth (Forsyth) Sharp. After working in the oil fields of several central states he joined the Air Force in 1951. Glenn took his basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, and was stationed in California, Idaho and Montana before being honorably discharged in 1954. He married Virginia Lee Kantack that year and settled briefly in Wyoming working in the oil fields there. 

In 1955, they relocated to Moses Lake, where his brother-in-law had a job waiting for him. Fortunately for the City of Moses Lake that job was no longer available when he got here, so he turned to the “help wanted” section of the local paper and found an ad for the police department. Chief William Bjork asked him a few questions, handed him a badge and a gun and told him to get a uniform and report to work the next day. A short three years into his career, he was promoted to the title of sergeant, a position that offered him much experience with the community as well as opportunities to better our growing city. Glenn was the co-founder and served as the director of the Police Reserves as well as developing the well-received Ministerial Association Chaplain Program in which local ministers would take turns riding one night per week with on-duty officers. Glenn was appointed to Moses Lake Chief of Police in 1981 and served in that position until he retired in 1985 after 30 years on the force. He was honored by the Salvation Army with the Volunteer Service Award for his service as the Welfare Secretary.

Throughout the years Glenn had many side jobs and was quoted saying, “We had a choice to just barely exist or go out and make more.” He believed in more than just existing and proved it through his many contributions to humanity, yet he was always humble and appreciative. Glenn married Daisy (Dory) Cannon in 1977. In 1988, Daisy’s position as Dean of Administrative Services for Big Bend Community College European Program took them to the European Campus in Germany, where they lived for three years. While there Glenn and Daisy visited many countries in Europe including France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, England and Holland.

Once they returned, they kept busy with a small acreage and livestock. Daisy had horses, while Glenn raised cows, pigs and chickens as well as cutting and baling hay for various neighbors. Glenn had a passion for collecting old John Deere tractors and antique clocks. He enjoyed several hunting trips to the Blue Mountains as well as fishing and bird hunting throughout the county. He was a talented man of much integrity and always made time for his family and anyone who needed his help. Glenn was gracious and kind, with a great sense of humor. Glenn and Daisy made several trips to visit family in Nebraska and Saskatchewan, Canada over the years. They later spent three years living in Newport, Wash., followed by 8 years in Spokane Valley, Wash., before returning to Moses Lake in 2006.

Glenn is survived by his loving wife Daisy, three children; Raymond and Isabel Sharp of Moses Lake, Fawneil (Sharp) Opp of Lacey, Wash., and Glennda (Sharp) Gaudet of Moses Lake; five stepchildren; Brian Cannon and Denise Cannon of Moses Lake, Donald Cannon of Spokane, Kathy (Cannon) Helgeson and Ben Taueu, and Kevin Cannon of Moses Lake; 28 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four nieces; four nephews as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in 1955, his mother in 1964 as well as two brothers and three sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Assembly of God Church, 431 E. Brown in Moses Lake. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at ww.michaeljfox.org/help_makeADonation.cfm