David W. Sharp

David Wilburn Sharp, 92, of Burleson, Texas, died Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in Edmond, OK.

David was born to Homer D. and Lois B. Sharp in Waco, Texas, on February 25, 1925 and grew up on the family farms in Bruceville, Lorena, and Rosenthal. The family moved to Waco, Texas in approximately 1933. Named after his grandfather, David, he was known as "Wilb" to his family growing up.

After graduating from Waco High School in June 1942, he attended one semester of college at Texas A&M College before following his brother, Wayland, by being inducted into the Army Anti-Aircraft, Coast Artillery on May 8, 1943. He was transferred to the Army Air Corps in November 1943.

During the war, he was an aircrew radio operator, mechanic, gunner on the B-26 Martin Marauder. He participated in campaigns at Northern Apennines, Northern France, and Central Europe. He flew fourteen B-26 combat missions over Europe before V-E day. He received decorations including; The American Theater Campaign Medal, The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, The Good Conduct Medal, The World War II Victory Medal, and The Distinguished Unit Badge.

Upon return from the war he earned a BS degree from Texas A&M College in accounting and a regular commission in the U.S. Air Force in May 1949. He subsequently earned a MS degree in Logistics Management while on active duty. While stationed at Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, TN he met and married June Oliver on March 2, 1963.

After commissioning he spent 10 years as a communications officer and 18 years as a procurement and productions officer. He retired after 30 years active duty while assigned as director of procurement Headquarters Tuslog, Ankara, Turkey. He retired as a lieutenant colonel, USAF on July 31, 1976.

After retiring to Burleson, he worked at Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation for 11 years as a senior contracts administrator. He retired in July 31, 1991.

David always enjoyed beekeeping and at one point managed over 130 hives. He was
known locally by his dedicated customers as the "honey man" after his hand painted road signs.

A dedicated husband and father, his priority was providing his family love and support at all ages and places.

He is survived by his wife, a sister, Mary Leigh of The Woodlands, one son, Colonel (ret) Brett Sharp (Paula), three daughters, Suellen DeMay (Brian) of Palatine, IL; Meghan Sharp (Lin Chen) of San Francisco, CA; Elspeth Sharp (Chris Moore) of Austin and six grandchildren: Jack DeMay, Mason DeMay, Noah Sharp, Rachel Sharp, Katherine Chen and Samantha Chen.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lucas and Blessing Funeral Home, 518 SW Johnson Ave. Burleson. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 2, also at Lucas and Blessing Funeral Home. Military funeral honors and interment will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday at Waco Memorial Park, 6623 S. Interstate 35, Robinson, TX.

Donations may be made in David's memory to Texas Beekeepers Association Honeybee Reasearch Fund ( https://texasbeekeepers.org/donation/ ), which supports the Texas Honeybee Lab at Texas A&M University.