Gary Duane Sharp, Fort Myers, Fl. went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 23, 2019. Left to celebrate and remember his life is his wife of 58 years, Colleen Donald Sharp and 3 adult children, Rick Sharp, Robert Sharp and wife Tina, all of Fort Myers, Fl. and Sherrie Oatman and husband Brian of Indianapolis, In. Gary was born near Promise City, Iowa on November 27, 1940

He was the proud grandfather of five children, Emily Robinson, Samantha Thomas, Cristin Landry, Linsey Vaccarella and Alex Osborne. They and their spouses and thirteen GREAT grandchildren mourn his passing and will miss his loving touches. He welcomed his Great's with open arms and loved their visits.

Gary graduated from Seymour High School with the class of 1959. He married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Donald, on December 18th, 1960. After graduation he joined the Rock Island Lines Railroad and launched a 29 year career with the Rock Island, the Milwaukee, and the Soo Line Railroads as a Carman and a Foreman in the car department. He loved returning to his class reunions and uniting with his school friends.

Most of their married life was spent in the Quad City Area, settling in Coal Valley, II. for 46 years. Gary was an assistant Football coach for the Dad's Club while his boys were involved and an assistant Boy Scout Leader when his boys were in Boy Scouts.  He was a batting coach for his daughter's softball team. He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and then Riverside United Methodist Church when the congregations  were merged. He served and volunteered for many positions at the church, but the one he loved best was as a Trustee. He faithfully mowed 5 acres at the Aldersgate location for many years. He and Colleen belonged to two camping clubs in the Quad City area and spent lots of weekends exploring the Mississippi River area. Upon full retirement he spent many winters in the Tampa area and moved to Fort Myers full time in 2012.

He loved gardening and gave away much of his tomato crop each summer to friends and neighbors. He was a hero to his kids who loved that he introduced them to mini bikes, boating and water skiing, camping, scouting, motorcycles, and all manner of sports. Because he had a brain stem stroke when he was 49 and was unable to work, he was the prime baby sitter for his two grand daughters, Emily and Samantha from Kewanee, II. when they had school holidays.

He adored the children and they adored him. He taught them every good thing they know.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen, their children and spouses also brother Norm Sharp and Sonja, and brother Bill Sharp and Jeannie as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was a current member of Cypress Lake United Methodist Church in Fort Myers. Preceding him in death were his parents, Irvin and Anah Sharp, and his grandson Shane Sharp, his brother and sister-in-law Karen and Harold I Sharp. His sister and brother-in-law John and Jeannie Sharp Merritt. Also his in-laws Dallas and Maxine Donald and brothers-in-law Dallas Delmar Donald and David Donald.

He was a dear and good man and suffered through a lot of health issues from the time he was

49. He taught us all about perseverance and the will to give life your best. He will be sorely missed as the Father figure of our family. lnurnment will be with family and friends at a later date in Coal Valley, II. Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to the family at 10662 Camarelle Circle, Fort Myers, Fl. 33913, to Riverside UMC 712 16th Street, Moline, II. 61265, or to Cypress Lake UMC 8570 Cypres Lake Dr., Fort Myers, Fl. 33919-5117.