Raymond Ellis Sharp

On Monday, May 1, 2017, Raymond Sharp, age 80, passed away surrounded by family and friends. He was born May 9, 1936 in Lynden, WA to parents Royce Jackson and Velma (Fecher) Sharp.  Raymond is a veteran of the US Navy.  He retired from Georgia Pacific after 36 years of employment, ending his career as a purchasing manager.   Raymond enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf and spending time with his family.  His sons will be the first to tell you that he was a rock for the family.  As a father, he was always there with loving support, advice and a treasure chest of skills that he passed down to his sons. There was not a lot that he could not do.  He was skilled with mechanics and household maintenance.  If you needed help, he was there with his tools.  Working by your side without being asked.    We cannot begin to count the ways he supported his family and friends always putting others before himself.   Raymond loved to entertain and never missed an opportunity to mix you a drink and provide the most amazing BBQ delights.     He would go out of his way to make sure that he had what you liked.  Everyone was always welcome.  All that met Ray would say he was light hearted and a joy to be around.  His sense of humor, quick wit and sound of his laughter will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty Elworthy Sharp and his brother Bob Sharp.  Survived by his sons, Ricky Sharp and Marge Ocheltree,  Shawn Sharp and his wife Jill; step daughters, Vicki Morro and her husband Derek and Carolyn Towle and her husband Don; step sons, Doug Elworthy and his wife wife Kim Elworthy and Steven Elworthy; 9 grandchildren; sister, Shirley Tidwell and her husband George and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. To let him go is extremely hard but we know he is no longer suffering.  He has touched our hearts and will never be forgotten. A celebration of his life with Military Honors will be held Saturday. May 27, 2017, 1:00 PM, at the Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.