Benjamin "Ben" Sharp, Jr.

Benjamin F. Sharp, Jr., our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, August 12, 2024. Ben was blessed to be surrounded by his wife and children during the last days of his life. Benjamin Forrest Sharp was born August 29, 1932 to Ben and Helen Sharp in San Antonio, Texas. Ben had one sibling, Arleen, who passed away shortly after she was born. He grew up in San Antonio where he excelled as a student from grade school through college. He attended Central Catholic High School where he participated in numerous scholastic organizations and graduated as a Scholastic Honor Graduate in 1949. At the age of seventeen, Ben made a decision based on his deep faith to join the Seminary, which he attended for one and a half years. He realized this was not his calling in life so Ben then attended St. Mary’s University where he ultimately earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science in 1954. That same year he met and married Betty Vordenbaum and together they raised a family of four children. Ben joined the U.S. Army in 1954 and proudly served his country as a dedicated and decorated Infantry Officer for thirty years. His tours of duty included overseas assignments in Germany, two tours in Vietnam, and two years in Panama, as well as many stateside assignments. One of his favorite tours of duty was at Ft. Benning, Georgia in1956 where he was assigned as Tactical Officer for Officer Candidate School. He worked with each candidate individually to help mentor and prepare them for being commissioned as an officer. He was also honored to be assigned as the Assistant Professor of Military History at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio from 1962-1965. There he taught American Military History and prepared junior year ROTC students to be commissioned after their senior year. After his last tour of duty at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia he retired in1984 as a full Colonel. He truly enjoyed and was very proud of the relationships he formed with his students and colleagues throughout his honorable Army career. Ben met Carolyn Halford in 1979 in Atlanta, and they married on June 26,1982 and enjoyed a happy marriage of forty-two years. Ben and Carol took many trips to Helen, Georgia, Biloxi, New Orleans, and Cherokee, North Carolina. They also attended many Central Catholic High School Reunions in San Antonio, where Ben maintained lifelong friendships with his fellow alumni. Ben was an enthusiastic and diehard fan of the Atlanta Braves, following every game they played. His children learned the hard way not to call and interrupt Dad during the games. Ben and Carol were very active members of St. Matthew Catholic Church where Ben lectured for twenty-five years. He was a firm believer in the power of prayer and gave much spiritual guidance to his children throughout their lives. He was our protecter, advisor, supporter and cornerstone of our family. He was always available to us when we sought advice or needed a shoulder to cry on. Ben was a highly intelligent, articulate and gifted communicator both in the spoken word as well as the written word. Although Ben’s passing will leave a tremendous void in his family’s lives, he will continue to live in our hearts, and his spirit will always be our source of strength. Ben leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife, Carolyn, his four children, Ben Sharp III (Cindy) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Terri Sharp (Pete) of Basalt, Colorado, Dianne Jurica (Larry) of George West, Texas, and Susan Carlile of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, eight grandchildren, twelve greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family sends a heartfelt thank you to Courtney Dixon who helped Carol care for Ben at home for the past two years. Visitation will be held Friday, August 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Parrott Funeral Home in Fairburn, Georgia. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Saturday, August 17, at 12:00 pm, at 215 Kirkley Rd, Tyrone, Georgia 30290. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Father Noonan Scholarship Fund at St. Matthew Church.

Benjamin "Ben" Sharp, Jr.

August 29, 1932 - August 12, 2024