John K. Sharpe

John K. Sharpe, 92, longtime Moses Lake resident passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 at Columbia Crest Care Center in Moses Lake surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 17th at the First Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy, Moses Lake. Viewing will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14th and on Tuesday, Feb. 15th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel. Please sign the book or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com

John was born on August 27, 1918 in Greenville, Kentucky, son of the late Robert and Mary (Hester) Sharpe. He was the youngest of nine children. He left Kentucky at the age of 14 to ride the rails and find work in the west during the Depression. John was drafted to serve in the Army at the beginning of World War II, returning to the Seattle area after the war. He served in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged with the rank of First Sergeant.

He met and was later married to Miriam Taylor in 1973 and became a father to four more children. John worked hard at various jobs and had owned two businesses in Seattle before moving to Othello in 1956. He worked for John Deere, Texaco and retired from Chef Reddy in 1985. John enjoyed fishing, traveling the Northwest in their 5th Wheel, but mostly loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Miriam Sharpe, Moses Lake; children, Dave & Sue Sharpe, Jerry & Maria Taylor, Susan & Sean Myers, Tom & Gayle Taylor and Laura Taylor; grandchildren, Aaron Taylor, Natalie Sharpe, Tammy & Tyler Scism, Mark & Irin Mehaffie, Jeremy Taylor, and John Edwards; great-grandchildren, Mercedes, Katie and Cammie.

Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his siblings and grandson, Bryan Taylor.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1337, Moses Lake, WA 98837

"Mourn not too long that he is gone, but rejoice forever that he was."