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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Tyler are mourning the loss of |
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Dr. Aubrey Sharpe, an esteemed civic leader and a friend to many, |
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who passed away on March 13, 2023, at the age of 78; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of William Gibson Sharp and Ila Mae Sharp, |
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Aubrey Sharpe was born in Miami, Florida, on October 4, 1944, and |
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grew up with a sister, Patricia, and a brother, William; he |
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graduated from East Texas Baptist University and went on to |
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complete his doctoral degree at the University of North Texas; in |
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1989, he joined the administration of Tyler Junior College; he |
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served as executive dean of the Regional Training and Development |
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Complex and as dean of the School of Continuing Studies, and he |
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played a key role in launching both; in addition, he was |
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instrumental in the creation of the Tyler Area Business Incubator |
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through a consortium that involved the City of Tyler and the Tyler |
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Economic Development Council; dedicated to workforce development, |
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he collaborated effectively with local employers and business |
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experts to design training courses and programs, and he facilitated |
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a partnership with the Service Corps of Retired Executives; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Sharpe served as chair of the Tyler Area Chamber |
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of Commerce and shared his expertise in several roles with the Tyler |
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Economic Development Council; in addition, he served on Tyler's |
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Civil Service Commission and the Historic Preservation Board, and |
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he worked on planning and zoning issues; he gave generously of his |
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time and talents to a number of worthy philanthropies, among them |
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Meals on Wheels East Texas; over the years, he served the United Way |
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of Smith County in numerous capacities, including as chair and as |
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campaign chair, and he was the organization's development officer |
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at the time of his passing; and |
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WHEREAS, A dapper gentleman with an outgoing, observant |
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nature, Dr. Sharpe was known to many as the "Man About Town" |
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columnist for BScene and Tyler Today magazines, and his optimism |
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and sense of humor brightened the days of all he encountered; and |
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WHEREAS, Aubrey Sharpe is deeply missed by those he left |
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behind, but they will treasure their memories of his warmth and |
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kindness, and his contributions to Tyler will continue to resonate |
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in the years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Aubrey Sharpe and extend |
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sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Linda |
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Sharpe; to his brother, William Sharpe Jr.; to his nephews and |
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nieces, Michael Sharpe, David Sharpe, Dean Furrer, Ronnie |
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Sharpe Jr., Rebecca Furrer, Heather Baker, and Michelle Sharpe; and |
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to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Dr. Aubrey Sharpe. |