Johnny Lee Sharp was born on August 5, 1945, in Dumas, Arkansas. To those who knew him throughout the different seasons of his life, he was first Johnny, later John, and ultimately, the name that fit him best—Papa. On July 28, 2026, with the hope of Christ fulfilled, he traded the woods of his beloved hunting camp for the streets of Heaven.

Born and raised in the beautiful countryside of Arkansas to Arlington Leon and Hattie Margaret Sharp, Johnny grew up as the only boy among a house full of sisters. He somehow survived all those girls only to spend the rest of his life happily surrounded by a house of three boys and a daughter in what became the greatest blessing of his life, his family. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he met the love of his life, Jane. They married in 1966 after he proposed in true Johnny fashion—with a ring tucked inside a Cracker Jack box—setting the tone for nearly sixty years of laughter, unwavering love, and a marriage built on Christ.

Beginning in 1968 he enlisted in the United States Army and subsequently served in the United States Army National Guard and Air National Guard. He was honorably discharged from his military service in 1974, one month before his second child was born. His professional career in Human Resources Management was primarily spent in the lumber and paper industry. Beginning with Weyerhaeuser in Arkansas, he moved all over the country from Mississippi to Washington, and landed back in Hot Springs, Arkansas for ten years. In 1985 he joined Scott Paper, later Kimberly-Clark, and planted roots in Mobile, Alabama. All in all, he completed his career of over 30 years in 2000 and proudly retired in Mobile. He believed with all his heart that, with hard work, determination, and God’s help, a person could accomplish just about anything they set their mind to, and he spent his life encouraging and mentoring others to believe the same.

If he wasn’t home with his family, there was a pretty good chance you would have found him on the golf course in years past or, more recently, at the hunting camp. Whether he was planting food plots, discing the ground, clearing trails, or tackling whatever needed to be done to prepare for hunting season, he loved every minute of it. During hunting season, long before daybreak, he would already be in the woods, waiting for the woods to wake up around him. Although deer hunting was his greatest passion, he also loved chasing turkey, duck, elk, and just about anything else that gave him another excuse to spend time outdoors enjoying God’s creation. If he was lucky, he’d have a grandchild sitting beside him in the stand or a friend or family member hunting somewhere just around the bend.

Johnny was meticulous about keeping track of every deer he and even his kids and grandkids harvested throughout his lifetime. Many of those memories were captured in photographs or displayed on the wall in his garage and “Papa’s room”, and if you were fortunate enough to share a meal with him, there was a good chance you enjoyed some of it fresh off the grill. While the stories, the venison, and the record book all meant something to him, what mattered most was sharing that place with the people he loved. His love for hunting never faded, and he ended his hunting career on a high note this winter, harvesting a beautiful 8-point buck with his son, Doug, by his side. Those woods became the backdrop for countless memories, stories, traditions, laughter, and lessons that will live on in the hearts of his family and friends for generations.

The golf course held its own special place in his heart as well. He was fortunate enough to play his final round of golf in December alongside his sons and grandsons before his oldest grandson’s wedding, creating one more memory on the course with those he loved most. For many years, one of his favorite traditions after a round of golf was sitting down for a game of gin with the old men at the clubhouse, where the conversations and friendships became just as meaningful as the game itself. And, of course, there were the familiar Sunday afternoons when Papa could often be found settled into his chair, catching a well-earned nap while the final round of the golf tournament played on the Golf Channel. Those simple moments were part of the rhythm of a life well lived, filled with the things he loved most: faith, family, the outdoors, and the quiet comforts of home.

No matter where John happened to be—whether at the golf course, the hunting camp, work, or anywhere else—he never met a stranger. He had a remarkable gift for making friends and an even greater gift for keeping them. His close-knit group of high school and college friends remained part of his life for decades, right down to the group chat that continued to keep them connected all these years later. As he became “Papa” to his own grandchildren, he somehow became Papa to just about everyone else, too. Before long, friends of his children and grandchildren, neighbors, and anyone who spent more than a few minutes around him found themselves calling him Papa.

He was also known for his sense of humor, especially the corny jokes that reliably earned eye rolls from those who knew him best. And if he had a story worth telling once, chances were it was worth telling again… and again. Those familiar stories became part of the fabric of knowing Papa and are memories his family and friends will cherish forever.

If you had the privilege of knowing him, you know he truly was everyone’s Papa.

Of every title he ever held, his favorites were husband, Dad, and Papa. He was a devoted husband to Jane for nearly sixty years, a proud father of four, a father-in-law to four who lovingly fought over who was his favorite, and an unbelievably proud Papa to eleven grandchildren. His family wasn’t just important to him—they were his greatest accomplishment and his greatest joy. Whether it was a ballgame, graduation, school program, or any milestone in between, you could count on Papa being there. He was always the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines, believing his children and grandchildren could accomplish anything they set their minds to. You could also count on hearing about the newest job, the latest driver’s license, a college acceptance, a big accomplishment, or the newest trick one of his grandchildren had learned. Nothing made him smile more than talking about the people he loved.

John’s life pointed to something greater than himself. He loved Jesus, and his faith wasn’t simply something he just talked about. It shaped the way he loved and provided for his family, served his country, encouraged his friends, welcomed strangers, and looked toward tomorrow with hope. His confidence wasn’t found in his own strength but in the promise of Christ’s death and resurrection. Today, that faith has become sight.

John is survived by his beloved wife of nearly sixty years, Norma Jane Henley Sharp; his children, Greg (Heather) Sharp and their children, Reilly, Katie, and Brennan (Brittan); Doug (Natalie) Sharp and their children, Brady and Mason; Emily (Dustin) Whitehead and their children, Dane, Delaney, and Darcy; and Anthony “Tony” (Rebecca) Sharp and their children, Chip, Stephens, and Danner; his sister, Kathy Edwards; many nieces and nephews, along with countless friends who became family and were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Juanita Posey and Annette Hathorn.

If Papa could leave us with one last piece of advice, it would probably be not to spend too much time being sad. He’d much rather we share a hunting story, spend time with the people we love, enjoy the outdoors, and thank God for the gift of another day. While we’ll miss his hugs, his friendship, his stories, the sound of his laughter, and the steady way he loved each of us, we do not grieve without hope. Because of Jesus Christ, this isn’t goodbye. If we share in his hope of the resurrection and faith in Jesus, we know we’ll see Papa again.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026, at East Pointe Baptist Church, 34742 Hwy. 225 in Spanish Fort, AL, at 1PM. There will be a time of visitation with family and friends before the service beginning at 11:30AM. Interment will follow at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in 2PM.

*As most of the family live out of town, they kindly request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Making Memories Hunt, an organization that was very special to Johnny. At Making Memories Hunt, their mission is to create unforgettable experiences for individuals with disabilities, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the thrill of hunting alongside their loved ones.  Please make checks payable to Making Memories Hunt and mail to 16893 Prado Loop, Loxley, AL 36551.

Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family. Online expressions condolences for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com.