Dale W. Sharp

Dale Walter Sharp, age 95, passes away May 20, 2012 at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Bowling Green, OH. Dale was born the 5th son of Oscar and Verna Sharp on July 28, 1916 in Lima, OH. In 1923 the Sharp family moved to 1545 Woodland in Toledo and Dale attended Scott High School graduating in 1935. He met Beth Weaver during high school and at area skating rinks. They were married in June of 1937 by Rev. Filson of the Disciples of Christ Church, then located at Hoag and Norwood. Dale and Beth lived in the Upton and Dorr area until they purchased their first home on Chipplegate off of Byrne Rd. Their first child, Melinda, died at childbirth in 1941. In the Spring of 1943, Dale enlisted in the Marine Corp and was stationed in San Diego, CA. Beth traveled there in the winter of 1943 and worked in the PX on base. They then moved to Jacksonville, FL for radio training where Dale became a quartermaster. While there, they had their first son, Gary, born in 1944. The base shut down after the war and they moved to another base at Vero Beach, FL. Finally they returned to Toledo in late 1945 and moved back into the Chipplegate home. Dale worked during high school and after the war for L. Divine and Son, a livery stable that became farmers feed and supple store, then located at 1663 Dorr St. The business was sold in 1960 and Dale started working at Oaks Feed Store, which is still on W. Central Ave. Around 1949 a family that was raising birds provided a cage full of birds for Beth to sell, later dogs and cats, so a small store called All Pets Shop was rented at 2007 Dorr and moved in 1951 to 4218 Monroe St. fish and all supplies for Fur Feather and Fin was added and in 1958 the shop relocated to Secor Rd. A new home was being built on West Lincolnshire, the family, which had been living above the Monroe St. pet shop moved into it in 1952. In 1960, a daughter, Tamara was born and then 5 months later, Beth became ill and died Dec. 7, 1960. Dale searched for a live in housekeeper/babysitter and went through many. Dale switched jobs in 1962 to start over at Jeep on N. Cove Blvd., working in many assembly line positions and was often laid off. He became a road/track test driver and finally an under carriage inspector until retiring 25years later. Dale enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles some with sidecars and also owned a Triumph. He also has a Yamaha 750, Bridgestone and Honda Trike. He collected many cars, motor homes, and trailers. He was an associate member of IRA the Independent motorcycle Riders Association, and life member of AMA. Besides roller skating, Dale enjoyed ballroom style and line dancing. Although he never remarried, he had many skating and dancing partners. He attended Harleys 100th Anniversary in Milwaukee, WI in 2003 with his daughter. Only within the last few months did he give up driving Car or cycle. Last year was the first time he missed going to Daytona Beach, FL for Bike Week in March and visiting family elsewhere in the state. Dale is survived by his children, Gary and Tami; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren with another on the way; 1 great-great grandson; and special friend, Barbara Swope. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday from 3-8:00pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.