Fred N Sharp

Obituary

Fred (Napoleon) Sharpe of Baldwin City, Kansas, died Thursday, October 9, 1969 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kansas. He was born August 7, 1898 on a farm near New Hope, Illinois, one of seven children of Burl and Nora Sharpe. His father, a Southern Baptist preacher, and his mother instilled in him at an early age a great respect for the church and Bible teachings which stayed with him throughout his life. He joined the Baptist church as a youngster and remained an active and devoted member until his death.

After completing his formal education at Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale, he taught in several country schools before going to Hurst-Bush, Illinois as superintendent of schools, a position he held for a number of years.

During the depression years, Mr. Sharpe left the teaching profession to enter the publishing business in a sales capacity. His successful venture in this field was interrupted by World War II during which time he worked for the Hercules Powder Company at the Sunflower Ordnance Plant. He worked first as a safety engineer and by war's end was a personnel superintendent. In 1946 he joined the University of Kansas extension division as a lecturer both at the university and at special meetings throughout the state of Kansas.

For the past fifteen years, preceding his retirement in June, 1968, Mr. Sharpe was employed by the National Independent Packers association of Washington D.C. as their director of sales training. In this capacity he traveled to every state conducting sales and management seminars. He was recognized as one of the outstanding speakers of the day and was much sought after for convention addresses.

It was often said that Mr. Sharpe never met a stranger- so friendly and outgoing was his personality. He was greatly loved and respected by those who knew him and will be sorely missed by them.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Mrs. Violet Sharpe of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Betty Simunac of Baldwin; a son, James E. of Topeka; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services were held at 2 pm Sunday, October 12th at the Lamb Funeral Home in Baldwin City, Kansas. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery.