Obituaries

Bernard Hampton Sharp

Photo of Bernard Hampton Sharp
Today we celebrate the life of BERNARD HAMPTON SHARP, also fondly known as "Bubba." He was born in Vick (Bradley County), Ark., on Jan. 1, 1918 to the late Willie Vickers Sharp and William Claude Sharp. After graduating from Little Rock High School in 1935 he began his early career in construction. After working for CCC and other companies in various Arkansas locations, he traveled to Panama, Central America, for work on construction projects. This was followed by work in Venezuela, Galapagos Islands and Brazil before returning to Panama for his last work on a hospital on Lake Gatun. After learning of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of World War II. Bernard immediately enlisted in the Army Air Force at France Field, Panama and was sent to San Antonio, Texas to begin his military training. During the war he flew more than 67 missions, including being shot down behind enemy lines and spending a month avoiding enemy forces while he walked through mountainous terrain and across enemy lines to join his troops. After the official end of the war, he remained in Nuremberg, Germany for another six months with the Occupation Forces. He received several medals for his wartime service including two Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Flying Cross, USAA Air Medals, Silver Star and even a Presidential Citation for completion of one of the missions. He retired in 1950 as a Major. On Oct. 15, 1945, while home on leave, he married the love of his life Doris Harrod. Together they shared a life of love, generosity, faithful service to God and their community, and caring for families for 57 years until her death in 2002. In 1950 he, along with Roy L. Pruett, founded Capital Glass Company in Little Rock. He managed the business for 25 years until his retirement. Bernard enjoyed living life to the fullest, traveling to 119 countries and capturing these adventures in photographic collections. His wife joined him in trips to 89 of those countries. He loved sharing their photos with friends, organizations and school. He was a member of South Highland Baptist Church for over 85 years where he taught a Men's Bible Class for some 54 years. He also belonged to the Lions World Services for the Blind, and was the oldest member of Lakeside Country Club where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed painting in his free time. Preceding Bernard in death was his beautiful wife of 57 years, Doris Harrod Sharp; three sisters, Marie Greenlee, Faye Pruett, Nancy Palmer and sister-in-law, Elaine Barlow. He is survived by two sisters, Marguerite Hadfield and Jean Page; sister-in-law, Jeanette Hilbish; brother-in-law, Marshall Harrod, as well as 23 nieces and nephews, plus their children and grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 in the Chapel of Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501)224-8300, with Reverend Don Cooper officiating. Interment will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at Union Hill Cemetery, Ingalls, Ark. Family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital or the Lions World Services for the Blind. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published December 26, 2013

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