John Quinton Sharpe, 82, born April 2nd, 1935 in Owasippe, North Carolina; went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 5th, 2017 in Lompoc, CA.
He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Teruko Masuyama Sharpe; one daughter Patricia Conner (Dutch); two grandchildren CJ Stewart, Rachel DeLaPeña (Seth); one great-grandson Aiden DeLaPeña; and one surviving sister Patricia Haynes (Titus). Also, many beloved relatives in Fresno, CA and the state of North Carolina, Nevada and New York along with close treasured friends all over.
In his early years, he was a country boy who loved playing the guitar and fiddle at a very early age. He could practically play any instrument by ear, but he never let go of his true passion of playing the fiddle. Shortly after high school, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force. When stationed in Japan, he met his future wife Teruko. After a short courtship, they married on October 5th, 1959 and never left her side until the time of his passing. John also did TDY's overseas in Korea and Vietnam and the whole time of his service of 20 years he managed to always find or form a band of some sort to entertain anyone who would listen or was found playing alone at times just for enjoyment. After coming back to the states with his new wife, they had a late honeymoon of traveling across the U.S. to North Carolina in a small car sightseeing and showing his new bride everything. On November 25th, 1966 an only daughter, Patricia, entered their lives. Altogether, John was stationed in Japan, Okinawa, South Carolina, Oklahoma and two different bases in CA until he permanently settled down and retired at VAFB in Nov. of 1975 in Lompoc, CA. His one other passion was flying. His eyes were not good enough to become an Air Force pilot, so he earned his own private pilot's license.
After his military retirement, John worked for and retired for the 2nd time with the Lompoc School District and earned an Associate Degree in Business. He still played in many bands but mainly with the Honky Tonk Cowboys which he helped start. He was asked to personally play for private parties and weddings or for whoever asked him to and actually opened up for a couple of old famous country stars. After the band retired, he started to play with Pat Montgomery everywhere and together made a CD.
Throughout John's life, he was always known as "a nice guy". He has mentored and taught music to anyone who was interested for free. He has given away his own extra instruments as gifts. He was a very kind, patient and generous man to all he knew and even strangers. John was a strong believer in God and last attended Grace Baptist Church of Lompoc. He is now playing his fiddle in heaven.
Funeral Services will be 11 am Monday, December 11th, 2017 at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary in Lompoc. Viewing will be 10:30 am until service time. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery with a reception following at Grace Baptist Church of Lompoc.