Maurice S. Sharp's Obituary
Maurice Sharp of University Place, WA, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2017, at the age of 84. Maurice was born in Watson, Missouri on June 8, 1933, the sixth of seven children born to Nuell and Leola Sharp.
On October 2, 1952, he began his career in the Army, serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was just 19 years old when he was captured and taken as a prisoner of war in Korea. He served in the Army for more than 22 years and was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Ord, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington before retiring as a First Sergeant at Fort Lewis on November 30, 1974. During his military career, Maurice earned numerous medals, including the Bronze Star medal with “V” for “Valor. It was a great honor and he was especially proud of this medal, because not all those who earned the Bronze Star had the “V” on it as well.
Maurice joined the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization on September 30, 1994 and became a member of the Tacoma (WA) Chapter. He remained a member until the chapter disbanded in 2016 because of lack of membership. After encouragement of his good friends Fran Agnes, Gordy Clark and Jim Wells, he decided to run for office in the national organization of the Ex-Prisoners of War. He held offices of National Director, Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander and ultimately served as National Commander from 2002-2003. He met and worked with many prominent leaders of our nation; Governor Gary Locke, Representative Dick Muri and Senator Patty Murray, to name a few. In 2003 he was appointed by Governor Locke to serve on the Washington State Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee. While serving as National Commander he and his wife Bonnie were honored to be invited twice to the White House for breakfast, where they had the great privilege of meeting President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
Maurice was himself an avid promoter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization and what it stood for. He spent many hours working with the POW’s and living up to the organization’s motto; “We help those who cannot help themselves”. He worked diligently, along with his wife Bonnie, to guide POW’s to the people who could help them get their rightful disability, which he felt they so richly deserved. Maurice was also very active assisting the widows wherever help was needed. One of his favorite things to do was to be invited into the schools and share his knowledge with the students regarding the EX-POW and what they went through. This unselfish act was very much appreciated by the students and teachers alike. He also served faithfully for many years as a volunteer for the Tahoma national Cemetery Honor Guard.
Maurice joins his parents, his brothers Arnold Sharp and Irvin (Brick) Sharp, his sister Clara Belle Lynn and his beloved granddaughter Katie Andrews in eternal peace. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie, their four children, Dixie (Bud) Harris (daughter and son Christa and Bryan) of University Place, WA, Ken (Jan) Sharp (son and daughters, Sam, Chloe, and Jenny) of Lakewood, WA, Roxie (Jim) Andrews (sons Jimmy, Michael, and Kurtis) of Fircrest, WA, and Jim (Brandee) Sharp (sons Kyle and Ryan) of University Place, WA, fourteen great-grandchildren, brother Carol Deane Sharp of Red Oak, IA, and sisters Velma Wilson of Grants Pass, OR, and Janie Harding of Red Oak, IA.
Maurice loved working in his yard and each year he strived to have the most beautiful yard and flowers on the block. Two of his favorite pastimes were hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Bonnie and made numerous trips sightseeing throughout the U.S. They also enjoyed cruises to Alaska, the Bahamas, Canada and New England. In Maurice’s early military years, he was assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii for three years and he and his family enjoyed making numerous trips back to Hawaii. The ultimate vacations were two trips to Europe where he and Bonnie enjoyed touring eight countries; Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain and Morocco. His great love was his wife, his kids, and his grandchildren whom he spent many hours with.
A celebration of Maurice’s life will be held on August 8, 2017 at 10:00/AM at Mountain View Funeral Home in the Celebration of Life Aspen Chapel in Lakewood, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any veteran’s organizations.
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