1936
Thomas
2020
Thomas Sharp
February 27, 1936 — October 17, 2020
Thomas Edward Sharp, age 84, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at his home.
Tom was born February 27, 1936, the son of Louis E. “Jim” and Wilma (Kinas) Sharp. He graduated from Ripon High School and went on to attend Ripon College. Tom married Jeannette Fuller at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in 1958. He later served on the church council at Our Saviour’s as the treasurer for 5 years. He was also a member of Investments Unlimited.
Tom was known in Ripon and the surrounding area as the guy to fix your television or radio. Over the years, he worked at Johnson’s TV, Ruby’s TV, Paul’s TV and Dan’s Audio Plus. He was a Certified Electronic Technician held together with titanium biomechanical technology, ornery determination, love and beauty. As an innovative pioneer and early adopter of television and radio repair, his knowledge and generosity was instrumental in training many aspiring electronic technicians throughout his career.
Most of all, Tom was a good man, husband, father and brother. He was a charmingly humorous and edgy storyteller with a clear passion for the underdog, justice, humility and freedom of thought. His ironic wit and rambunctious temper made conversation delightful, inspirational and educational. He loved to “go have coffee” with friends at the daily round table discussions. He and his wife, Jeanne, of 62 years, cooked and shared nearly every meal together, delicately perfecting the balance of cooperation, responsibility and respect for each other’s talents, taste and shortcomings.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Sharp of Ripon; sons, Dana (Jessie) Sharp of Ripon and Todd Sharp (Katy Crane) of Princeton, WI; grandchildren, Katelyn Sharp of Fond du Lac, WI, Joseph Sharp of Oshkosh, WI and Zakary Sharp of Milwaukee, WI; great-grandchild, Daryn Ward of Fond du Lac, WI; brothers, Samuel (Janice) Sharp of New Brighton, MN and Alan (Susan) Sharp of Lonetree, CO; step-sister, Beverly Bilderbach of Brunswick, GA; and sister-in-law, Cynthia Fuller of Montrose, CO. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Wilma Sharp; step-mother, Leona Hildebrandt; and brother, David Sharp.
A private family memorial service for Tom will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, with Rev. Dr. Kevin P. Mundell officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Tom was an avid, active reader. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ripon Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street, Ripon, WI 54971. Tom’s family is asking anyone and everyone who wishes to please write down a story or thoughts and email them to ths404@gmail.com. He loved telling stories and reading them. This would be a terrific way to honor Tom’s memory.
FUNERAL SERVICE AT BUTZIN-MARCHANT FUNERAL HOME
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.
Tom was born February 27, 1936, the son of Louis E. “Jim” and Wilma (Kinas) Sharp. He graduated from Ripon High School and went on to attend Ripon College. Tom married Jeannette Fuller at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in 1958. He later served on the church council at Our Saviour’s as the treasurer for 5 years. He was also a member of Investments Unlimited.
Tom was known in Ripon and the surrounding area as the guy to fix your television or radio. Over the years, he worked at Johnson’s TV, Ruby’s TV, Paul’s TV and Dan’s Audio Plus. He was a Certified Electronic Technician held together with titanium biomechanical technology, ornery determination, love and beauty. As an innovative pioneer and early adopter of television and radio repair, his knowledge and generosity was instrumental in training many aspiring electronic technicians throughout his career.
Most of all, Tom was a good man, husband, father and brother. He was a charmingly humorous and edgy storyteller with a clear passion for the underdog, justice, humility and freedom of thought. His ironic wit and rambunctious temper made conversation delightful, inspirational and educational. He loved to “go have coffee” with friends at the daily round table discussions. He and his wife, Jeanne, of 62 years, cooked and shared nearly every meal together, delicately perfecting the balance of cooperation, responsibility and respect for each other’s talents, taste and shortcomings.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Sharp of Ripon; sons, Dana (Jessie) Sharp of Ripon and Todd Sharp (Katy Crane) of Princeton, WI; grandchildren, Katelyn Sharp of Fond du Lac, WI, Joseph Sharp of Oshkosh, WI and Zakary Sharp of Milwaukee, WI; great-grandchild, Daryn Ward of Fond du Lac, WI; brothers, Samuel (Janice) Sharp of New Brighton, MN and Alan (Susan) Sharp of Lonetree, CO; step-sister, Beverly Bilderbach of Brunswick, GA; and sister-in-law, Cynthia Fuller of Montrose, CO. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Wilma Sharp; step-mother, Leona Hildebrandt; and brother, David Sharp.
A private family memorial service for Tom will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, with Rev. Dr. Kevin P. Mundell officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Tom was an avid, active reader. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ripon Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street, Ripon, WI 54971. Tom’s family is asking anyone and everyone who wishes to please write down a story or thoughts and email them to ths404@gmail.com. He loved telling stories and reading them. This would be a terrific way to honor Tom’s memory.
FUNERAL SERVICE AT BUTZIN-MARCHANT FUNERAL HOME
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Sharp, please visit our flower store.
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