Merritt Island- Elton “Fred” Sharp, Jr., 91, passed away Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Solaris Healthcare in Merritt Island following a lengthy illness.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia (Aiton), his daughters, Jill Brown (Bob) and Carol Tolx ( Wayne), his sons, Chris Sharp (Sue) and John Sharp. His grandsons, Aaron Kindt, Bryan Brown (fiance Kimi Prince), Zachary Kindt, Jonathan Brown, Alden Sharp, and Ricky Sharp. His granddaughters, Casey Sharp and Jennifer Sharp plus numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. In death, Fred was reunited with his parents and his sister, Joan Hoaglund.  Fred was born in Jamestown, New York on November 10, 1928  to Elton Fred Sharp, Sr. and Louise Owens,  He spent most of his life living in Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island and working at the Space Center.  Fred graduated from the University of Iowa earning a Bachelor’s in Math and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida where he became a life-long Gator Fan.  He spent time in the Marines during the Korean War.

Fred and Sylvia were married July 14,1956 in Gainesville.  Fred began his 50 plus career as a designer of electrical systems for the U.S. Air Force and later for the space program.  He worked for Hughes Aircraft, Convair, TRW, Boeing, Northrup Grumman and United Launch Alliance.

He retired at age 83; he was a true Space Cowboy!  We thank Fred for all he did for our country.

He also loved  travelling with his children as they grew, he took them camping each summer.  His favorite place to visit was the Great Smokey Mountains where he would keep our watermelon icy cold in a mountain stream and cook mountain trout.  He and Sylvia traveled the world together with several close friends and family visiting places all over  the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, England, Europe and cruising the Caribbean.  He had a passion for games and taught his children how to play numerous card games, bridge was his passion.

He was a member of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. In both churches he served as a deacon and on the board of Trustees.

Above all, Fred will be remembered for his passion for life, his endless love for Sylvia and his family and a committed friend to so many.  Everyone who came into Fred’s world was better for it.  We will always love you!

A celebration of life will be held in the months to come , when we all can gather together.  He will be missed by all.  Join in wishing him peace in Heaven.  Heaven just gained an angel and Earth just lost one.