Bobby “Bob” Lee Sharp

Bobby (Bob) Sharp, 90, of Midland, Texas went to meet his Lord and Savior on September 3, 2023, at his home with his family by his side.  Bobby was born in Gladewater, Texas to LeeVerner Sharp and Mildred Allene (Cary) Sharp on August 22,1933.  Bob lost his father in a tragic car accident at a young age, and he assumed the role of “man of the house” for his mother and sister.  This life changing event was pivotal in shaping who he became and how he lived his life with integrity and determination.  Bob was always proud of his family and growing up in the small town of Gladewater, Texas, where locks on your doors were never used and friendships last a lifetime.  No such words were ever truer as evidenced over this past month when lifelong friends have streamed by to visit with Bob after he suffered a massive stroke on July 29, 2023.  Those friendships he formed in the small, sleepy town of Gladewater, and so many other friendships made over the course of his life, were expressed by numerous phone calls, get well cards and in person visits to encourage him, pray with him and for him and his family and to reminisce about a memorable golf game from years ago.

While attending elementary and high school in Gladewater, Bob was introduced to the game of golf.   He started young as a caddy and was on the golf course every waking minute and it paid off in his later years.  He was on the golf team for Gladewater High School and then went onto play at Kilgore College.  After finishing at Kilgore College, he joined the United States Air Force.  Bob’s character always reflected his pride in our country, and he proudly served in the Korean conflict.  While a portion of his service time was spent in Alaska, he had no complaints when his unit was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in Ft. Walton, Florida and he was able to join the Air Force golf team.

After completing four years of active duty, with another four of inactive, his good friend, Jack “Spot” Collins wrote him a letter to encourage him to attend Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where Bob went onto receive his Business Degree in 1960.  He also played on the golf team and earned many honors on the golf course.    His first year on the team he never lost a match.   Bob set a new collegiate scoring record of 66 at the Border Olympics in Laredo.  He won Abilene City Championship several times and carded a record nine-hole score of 28 at Maxwell Golf Course.  He also won the Texas Public Links in Abilene and was captain of the Hardin-Simmons golf team. Bob was inducted into the Hardin Simmons Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Bob was so proud of his time at HSU and the friendships made during his collegiate career. Many of those friends were with him and praying for him until his last day.

His persistence, talent, and experiences from Gladewater to Abilene lead him to his next adventure on the PGA Tour in 1962-1963.

The PGA stories, opportunities and friendships along the way are plentiful, but he always got a kick out of telling his daughters about his experiences on and off the course. He first met Arnold Palmer when Bob shared with Mr. Palmer a “smashed” birthday cake he had received in the mail.  Chi Chi Rodriguez, Tony Lema and others soon joined in the celebration.

Bob’s favorite PGA story was when Mr. Jack Tuthill, head of the PGA, called to ask him to fill in for Ken Venturi in a Pro-Am in Pensacola, Florida.  When Bob showed up, his amateur partner was upset about the last-minute change and wouldn’t shake hands. After a second-place finish in the tournament, the amateur player who owned a local tire store, offered to buy Bob a set of new tires for his car.

Bob’s passion for golf resulted in an estimated 50 amateur and collegiate tournament wins and 10 holes in ones. While he loved the game, he cherished the friendships made along the way even more.

In 1963, Bob left the professional golf ranks and went to work in the oil business. While living in Graham, Texas he met and married Betty (Reynolds) Stone, his sweetheart.  They moved to Arlington, Texas in 1966 where he worked for W-K-M and then later the Hunt Brothers.  It was there they raised three daughters, Lisa Bownds of Midland, Nancy Johnson of Midland and Rebecca Arber of Fort Worth, Texas.

Bob was thrilled when his daughters’ found men that shared his faith, convictions, and integrity.   He welcomed sons-in-law Wesley Bownds of Midland and David Arber of Ft. Worth to the family and no longer felt outnumbered at every family gathering. While he always hoped this would help him have more say in family conversations with his daughters, his hope never came to fruition.

Over his 58 years of marriage, Bob and Betty not only treasured the blessings of their daughters, and sons-in-laws, but cherished the addition of 8 grandchildren to the family. Tyler Gifford of Lipan, Cole Gifford of Stephenville, Audrey Gifford of Granbury, Darrell Johnson of Midland, Abby Behrens of Breckenridge, Bobby Johnson of Midland, Kelsey Dunn of Dallas, and Britney Knickerbocker of Virginia. Although Bob never had a chance to meet the newest addition to the family, his great granddaughter, Letty Von Gifford of Lipan, he loved every picture and video he received.

Bob’s career path in oil and gas sales has taken him on a roller coaster ride through several company buy-outs and mergers. However, one of his most significant career accomplishments occurred when in 2010 he began working at Tanklogix, a relatively new company just getting started in the Permian Basin. He was extremely proud of the success of the company during the past 13 years and enjoyed the new friendships he made there. The family is very grateful for all the help and support from the entire Tanklogix team.

Bob had a quick wit, and many “one-liners” from “You can’t enjoy a steak until you eat a hot dog”, to “Times change– values don’t,” to the “Hardest thing to learn is what we already know.”  He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 33 in Arlington, Texas at New York Avenue Baptist Church.  In no way did he ever claim to be perfect. In fact, he would say he prayed each day” God help me this day to remember who I am. I am a sinner saved by GRACE!”

As Bob struggled with his health this past month from the physical damage from his stroke, he never feared death.  He always knew his final destination. We had open conversations about heaven, his Lord Jesus Christ and the assurance of salvation.  We are grateful for the example he and Betty have set and lived out in their daily lives for 58 years together. Bob will certainly be missed, but we rejoice he intentionally shared his love, faith, stories and experiences with so many.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 8, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel.  The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you prayerfully consider a donation that would make a difference in someone’s life to either Hardin-Simmons University Golf Team, 2200 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79698 or Reflection Ministries of Texas, P.O. Box 52371, Midland, Texas 79701 reflectionministriestx.org

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Bobby "Bob" Lee Sharp, please visit our Tribute Store.