Funeral services for Mr. James A. Sharp, age 84 of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2009, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Buddy Bankhead officiating. Interment will follow in Langley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Sharp passed away on Friday night, June 5, 2009, in Carthage.

James Alcon Sharp was born on May 14, 1925, in Carthage, Texas to Lawrence Rayburn and Debbie Harris Sharp. Mr. Sharp graduated from Beckville High School with the class of 1942. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University earning his Bachelor's Degree in 1949, with a double major in History and Agriculture with just a few hours shy of earning his Master's Degree. Mr. Sharp served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. He married Evelyn Duchesne on October 30, 1953, in Carthage. Mr. Sharp worked for Sun Oil Company for 34 years, retiring in 1984. He attended the Carthage Church of Christ. Mr. Sharp was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, L.R. Sharp, Jr. and Sidney Argus Sharp.

Mr. Sharp is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn D. Sharp of Carthage; two sons, J. Ty Sharp and wife Vivian of Kilgore and Kent Sharp and wife LeAnna of Mansfield; one brother, Thomas H. Sharp and wife Mary Jeanne of Dallas; two sisters, Frances Milton and husband Reuben of Wolfe City and Elizabeth Robinson of Midland; three grandchildren, Mindy Ford and husband Mike of Ft. Worth, Zachary Sharp and wife Kristina of Longview, and Mackenzie Sharp of Longview; two great-grandchildren, Colby Carpenter and Callie Sharp. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mr. Sharp.

Serving as pallbearers are Gerry Robinson, Greg Robinson, Lan Milton, Mike Ford, Zachary Sharp, and Larry Ford.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Panola College Scholarship Fund, 1109 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.