David Sharp was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on February 25, 1960. He was the middle of five children, born to Leroy and Phyllis (Snodgrass) Sharp. His family lived in several places while he was growing up including Troy, Baldwin, and Junction City. David graduated high school at Junction City in 1978. He worked in construction until taking a job with United Telephone, following in his dad’s footsteps. Even though their families attended the same church and his mother babysat for Lela’s little sister, he didn’t notice his future wife until a church youth bonfire in high school.
Starting his telephone career in a two man area, he learned everything about keeping the phones up and running. Usually by the time he went to training he had already been doing it in the field. He always finished training at school early and was headed back home. One reason was because he didn’t like to be away from home and the other is that he hated school.
He married his high school sweetheart Lela Cadle in August of 1979. After a few moves with the telephone company, he landed in Haven, Kansas. While there he switched to city policeman and had his first two daughters, Cierra and Rachelle.
After a vacation in Arkansas, he and his wife decided to pull up the stakes, sell their house, and move to Arkansas. During this time their third daughter, Tiffany, was born. After seven years they felt the need to be closer to their families, so back to Kansas they went. He took a job with KanOkla Telephone Company in Caldwell, Kansas, working outside once again, keeping the phones up and running. He would later take an inside job as an engineer to finish out his career.
David was active in both his church in Arkansas and Caldwell, helping with Royal Ambassadors, teaching Sunday School and overseeing church projects.
After being diagnosed with cancer in March 2019, he fought and persevered up until his body would not fight anymore. He slipped away quietly during the night on May 18, 2023 to go to his heavenly home, now walking with his Savior.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 43 years, Lela, daughter Cierra and Josh, David and Kemper; Daughter Rachelle and David, Tyler, Katherine, Aiden, Mackenzy, and Hunter; and daughter, Tiffany and Chance, Ariella. He will also be missed by his mother, Phyllis Sharp, brothers Doug (Sue) and Dana (Brenda); sisters, Debbie (Dudley) and Deanne (Bob); father-in-law Jim Cadle and sister-in-law Janet (Ted) Dozier, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2023 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell, Kansas with Dr. Dan Price officiating. Interment will follow at the Caldwell City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Central Christian Church or to the Caldwell High School Alumni Association and sent in care of the mortuary.
Visitation will be held 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
