Richard C. Sharp

Richard Charles Sharp was born on February 10, 1943 in Beaumont, Texas to Richard and Virginia Sharp. As a young boy he moved with his parents from Smithville, TX, to Wyoming, then back to Smithville and finally to Pasadena, Texas. Richard graduated from Pasadena High School in 1962. He then went to Texas A&M for a short time. In 1965, he joined the Army Reserve. Richard went to work for Ethyl/Albemarle Corporation in the fall of 1965, and retired on December 31, 2003, with over 38 years of service.

Richard had two children from his first marriage, Daniel and Rebecca. On July 10, 1999, Richard and Laura were married at her sister’s home with family and friends present.

Brother Sharp was raised a Master Mason in Pasadena Masonic Lodge No. 1155, on March 18, 1968 and served as Worshipful Master in 1990-1991. He was a member of the Texas Lodge of Research. Richard was a member of J. W. Chandler Daylight Lodge No. 1452, in Houston, where he served as Junior Deacon for the Masonic years 2004-2009. He served the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas in 2009 as District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District 30H.

Companion Richard was Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Pasadena Chapter No. 455, R.A.M., on May 16, 1970. He served as High Priest in 1995-1996. He was duly consecrated a member of the Order of High Priesthood on September 30, 1995. Richard served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas as District Deputy Grand High Priest for Capitular District No. 9, in 2005. He was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Arizona to Texas in 2005. He served as Chairman of the Credentials Committee for the Grand Chapter for the year 2006. Richard Received the Cornerstone Award from Pasadena Chapter No. 455, on June 1, 2007. He served as Treasurer of Pasadena Chapter.

Very Illustrious Past Grand Master Sharp was Greeted a Select Master in Pasadena Council No. 374, R.&S.M., on May 16, 1970. He served Pasadena Council No. 374, as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1996-1997, and again in 2009-2010. He was anointed a member of the Order of the Silver Trowel on December 5, 2000. Richard served as District Deputy Grand Master for Cryptic District 9 of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas in 2009. He received the Super Excellent Master degree. He served as Treasurer for Pasadena Council for 2013-2014. Richard served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas as Illustrious Grand Sentinel for 2011-2012. He was elected to the office of Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work on October 9, 2012, as Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master on October 22, 2013, and as Most Illustrious Grand Master on October 21, 2014.

Sir Knight Richard was Knighted in Park Place Commandery No. 106, K.T., on May 16, 1970 and served as Commander in 1998. He joined Houston Commandery No. 95, Knights Templar, in 2002, and served as Commander five times. He received the Commander’s Award of Merit three times from the Grand Commandery of Texas. Richard served Houston Commandery No. 95, as Recorder from 2007 thru 2008, and served as Warder for the year 2013-2014. Houston Commandery No. 95, presented Richard with the Excalibur award on January 2, 2010, for outstanding service. He served the Grand Commandery of Texas as Chairman of the Credentials Committee and was Awards banquet Chairman in 2006. He served as the Chairman of the Educational Foundation Committee for the Grand Commandery of Texas.

He was commissioned a Knight Preceptor in Texas Chapter, Order of Knights Preceptor, on April 16, 2000. He was inducted into Ridout Priory No. 75, Knights of the York Cross of Honour on April 15, 1999. He was elected a member of Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106, on September 30, 1995. Richard was a member of the Park Place Commandery Drill Team for many years and served as President.

Richard was created a Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders in San Jacinto Conclave on April 14, 2012.

He was a member of Lone Star Chapel No. 45, of The Commemorative Order of Saint Thomas of Acon and served as Sentry in 2014.

Richard was a member of Nat Pace Council No. 46, Knight Masons and Anson Jones Council No. 47, Knight Masons. He served as Excellent Chief of Anson Jones Council for the year 2010. He was a member of Sam Houston Council No. 275, Allied Masonic Degrees. Richard received the Red Branch of Eri, with the rank of Knight Commander, and served as Sovereign Master in 2008. He was created a Knight of the Masonic Order of the Bath on July 19, 2003.

Illustrious Brother Sharp was a member of the Houston Scottish Rite Bodies, the Royal Order of the Ducks, the Royal Order of Scotland, and was a Charter member and the Charter Chaplain of the Knights of Saint Andrews. He served on the 17th degree team for many years. He has served as Chairman of the Office Assistance Committee and the Registration Committee of the Houston Scottish Rite bodies. Richard served as Wise Master of Houston Chapter Knights Rose Croix for the year 2011. Richard was Invested with the 32nd Degree Knight Commander Court of Honour (KCCH) in 2005, and was Coroneted a Thirty-Third Degree (Inspector General Honorary) on October 22, 2011.

Richard served twice as Patron of Pasadena Chapter No. 711, OES. He was a Past Patron of Andral Vann Chapter No. 741, OES, and served as Treasurer. He served as Chairman of the Titles, Deeds and Properties Committee of Grand Chapter of Texas OES, having served in 2007. He served as the District Four Chairman of the Masonic Relations Committee for the year 2010-2011. Richard is a Past Vice-President of the Past Matron and Past Patron Association of Houston. He served as a Guard for General Grand Chapter OES in 2009, at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Richard served as the Vendors Chairman for the Grand Chapter OES, for the year 2011-2012, and served as a member of the Vendor’s Committee for the year 2013-2014.

Richard was a Senior DeMolay from Pasadena Chapter and served as Chapter Dad for several years. He was a Representative DeMolay, was created a Chevalier, and received the DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was a Past Commander for Houston Chapter, Court of Chevaliers in 2008. He served as Dean of the Greater Houston Area Preceptory of the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 2007.

He was a Charter member and served as the Charter Chaplain of the Houston High Twelve Club International No. 736.

Obituary

Richard Charles Sharp of Houston was born on February 10, 1943 in Beaumont, Texas to Richard and Virginia Sharp. As a young boy he moved with his parents from Smithville, Texas to Wyoming, then back to Smithville and finally to Pasadena, Texas. Richard graduated from Pasadena High School in 1962. He then attended Texas A&M University for a short time. In 1965 he joined the Army Reserve and went to work for Ethyl/Albemarle Corporation where he retired in December 2003 with over 38 years of service.

An active member of and beloved presence in the community, Richard also served in many Masonic organizations. He was an avid woodworker and could always be found working in his shop creating beautiful works of art to share with family and friends. When not “making sawdust,” he enjoyed designing and making jewelry, upcycling reclaimed wood and furniture, working on his computer, watching movies, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and serving those in need. Recently, he enjoyed cooking and preserving fresh fruits and vegetables.

Richard is survived by his wife of 22 years, Laura Sharp; children, Daniel Sharp and his wife Tonya, Rebecca Sharp, Mitchell Meece and his wife Ana, Laura Peace and her husband Chad; grandchildren, Addison, Jeremy, Rachel, Ryan, Jared, Wayne, Reilly, Evan, and Ian; great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Brannock; and his faithful feline companion, Rusty.

A visitation for Richard will be held Monday, August 30, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 10:30 AM. A burial to follow at Brookside Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brooksidefuneralhomelauder.com for the Sharp family.