JAMES JACKSON SHARP VI
"It is with a heavy heart that we gave my brother, Jake, to the Lord. I will forever miss him. He loved everyone so much. God needed a strong 4th for his scramble team and He got a #1 draft pick." Joe Sharp.
Jake Sharp, the light of our lives, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, April 18, 2024. Jake was born on August 2, 1980 in Barboursville, West Virginia. He is the son of Patsy Black Ross of Barboursville and Jack Sharp (Connie) of Ona. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Janice and Corky Black, and his paternal grandparents, Jim and Shirley Sharp and loving uncles, Gerald Asbury, Garry Black, and Keith Black.
On June 8, 2019, Jake married the love of his life, Ashley Saunders Sharp. In his own words..."my forever girl." Ashley and Jake were blessed with a sweet and loving son, James Jackson Sharp VII, on March 17, 2023. He was grateful daily that God brought Ashley and Jackson into his life. Jake was an amazing husband and father. Along with Ashley, God blessed Jake with a new mom and dad, Pattie and Harold Saunders who welcomed him into their family with love and grace.
Jake lived his life as most of us would only aspire to do. His accomplishments are numerous; his accolades would fill a book. He was a popular guy from birth to death. He graduated from Cabell Midland High School in 1999 and went to Athens, Ohio. The only place he ever wanted to go to college was Ohio University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management in 2004. As his life unfolded, he was led in a new direction and earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Palmer Theological Seminary at Eastern University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2023. Jake was grateful for the assistance and encouragement from the congregation of New Baptist Church and the mentorship of Pastor Trent Eastman which led him to this opportunity.
Jake lived a charmed life. He often said, "What a time to be alive!" He was cast to play the part of Johnsie Hatfield in Kevin Costner's Documentary "The Hatfields and McCoys" where he met and worked with many influential people. After graduating from college, Jake packed his car with his earthly belongings and drove to Charlotte, North Carolina without a job or a place to stay. Within two weeks, he began working for Motorsport Management International at NASCAR where he managed finances and public relations for eight drivers including Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. He spent 4 years in Charlotte with MMI and began missing home.
Jake worked for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Huntington where he met and was mentored by one of his heroes and life long friend, Tyson Compton. For a short while, he returned to his beloved Athens, Ohio and worked at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Returning home again, he went to work with his good friend Audy Perry as Director of Marketing at Heritage Farm where he was instrumental in making the affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute a reality. He felt so fortunate to have attended the Smithsonian Affiliates Conference in Washington D.C.
Jake never thought of what he did as work. Every day was just another adventure. As a way of giving back to God for his many blessings, Jake took a position as Director of Business Development for Positive Alternative Radio at Walk FM Christian Radio Station where he shared his faith daily with the business community in Huntington and the surrounding area including parts of Ohio and Kentucky. He loved his Walk FM family and once referred to his team as "an army for God". He believed with all of his heart that God put him there. In this job, Jake found avenues through which he served God daily and a family that helped him do that. The family is so grateful to the team at Walk for your love and kindness to Jake.
The family would be remiss if we did not share Jake's love for food! Jake visited all eating establishments in Huntington and the surrounding area. He was especially fond of Jim's Spaghetti and thought of Mandy and Trish as his friends. There was a time when Jake ate at Jim's more than at home. He was thankful for Tony and Jeff at Honey Baked Ham in Barboursville and took his mom there on many lunch dates. He also loved the home cooking at Shonet's in Milton.
Jake had a deep understanding of children and easily created relationships with them. He is survived by his beautiful goddaughter, Barrett Seay, whom he loved with all of his heart. He is also survived by a multitude of cousins, nephews and nieces including Corky Hammers (Buffy), Kenny Jones (Jen), Billy Jones, Meghann Adkins (Jordan), Emily Asbury, Nikki Angers (Billy), Amy White (Bobby), Nancy Null, Zendaya Null, Kaden, Gunner, and Landon. In addition, Jake had a very special relationship with his cousin Jenna Dirscherl (Tom). Jake kept special time slots for his nephews Peyton Sharp and Luke Salmons who made him so proud. Jake spent countless hours at sports venues and performances cheering on these two. His time was their time. He also gave his time to the children of his extended lifelong families. He became a loving and loved member of the families of Matt and Robin McComas and Herb and Paula Seay. He loved them so deeply and thanks to them he had extra moms and dads, brothers and sisters, that most are not fortunate enough to experience.
In his travels through this life, Jake met and developed a beautiful assortment of friends. Very special among those were John Yeager and Michael Connick and his friends in the CWB group. One of Jake's dreams was to attend The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Due to circumstances before he was born, he inherited an actual Green Masters jacket from his grandfather. This Spring he won tickets to The Masters in a lottery and two weeks before his death, he was able to experience this dream shared with John, his good friend and college roommate Jason Schrock and his wife, Ashley.
Most importantly, there are two very special guys that Jake has loved fiercely since kindergarten. His love for them and theirs for him has never failed in almost 40 years. Shaun McComas and Charlie Seay have been and always will be brothers in mischief and friends forever! Sean and Charlie have been his rock through thick and thin and the family is beyond grateful for their relationship.
Jake is survived by many sisters and brothers: Joe Sharp (Julie), Ginny Dowdy, Corky Dowdy, Holly McEwen (James), Justin Ross (Bethany), Carlee Meadows (Kevin), Summer Salmons (Roland), Tara Villars, April Saunders, and Mandy Null (Mike).
Special Aunts and Uncles: Sunny Hammers (Fred), Jill Asbury, Penny Jones, Anna Belle Black, Linda Bryant, Carolyn Clark, Debbie Swepston, Paul Saunders (Barbara), Susan Wheeler (Bill), and a very special uncle David Black (Elyse).
His loving friends and family who will carry him to his Great Reward are Jack Sharp, Joe Sharp, Shaun McComas, Charlie Seay, Jason Schrock, Matt Boggs, Dr. Jim Reynolds, and John Yeager. We receive comfort knowing that Jake would be honored to have these fine people taking care of him.
As you can now imagine, this story could go on as Jake had an infectious enthusiasm for everything and everybody. For now, dear family and friends, in memory of our beloved Jake, please go out in the world and keep his memory alive by letting your light shine!
In lieu of flowers or if you are so inclined, the family would like to suggest that memorial gifts be made in Jake's name to any of the following: Payable by check to: James Jackson Sharp VII, Community Trust Bank, 952 Third Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701 OR ONLINE AT: https://gofund.me/05842bd7; New Baptist Church, 610 28th Street, Huntington, WV 25702; Walk FM Christian Radio Station, P.O. Box 2317, Ashland, KY 41105.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, and from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024 at New Baptist Church, 610 28th Street, Huntington, WV 25702. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Trent Eastman officiating. Burial will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
