Gerald A. “Jerry” Sharp – July 28, 1939 – April 6, 2026

Gerald (Jerry) A. Sharp of Cozad, NE, passed away on April 6, 2026, at Cozad Community Hospital at the age of 86. Jerry was born on July 28, 1939, in Lamar, Colorado, to Olaf E. Sharp and Helen J. (Reyher) Sharp. He and his younger sister, (sis) Charla Rae Dunlap, grew up on the family farm northeast of Wiley, Colorado. While in high school, Jerry played football, baseball, track, and basketball. He lettered in all four sports all four years. He was known for having a deadeye granny style of free throw, and he could high jump over his head at track meets. He was also a member of FFA. Jerry managed to keep up his social life at school while doing daily early morning and late evening chores. He graduated from Wiley High School in 1957. He met his wife, Carolyn L. (Venn) Sharp, at the Vaqueros Saddle Club in Lamar, Colorado, in 1956. Thereafter, Carolyn, along with her mother (Tiny Venn), drove out to the Sharp farm and proposed that they be married. He humbly accepted her proposal, and they married on August 31, 1958, in Lamar, Colorado. He attended Lamar Junior College and earned a degree in Agricultural Business and was a member of the National Collegiate Rodeo Association. During his second year of Junior College, Carolyn stated that she wanted to graduate with him, so she completed her two-year studies in just one year’s time. Jerry spoke of this often. On December 17, 1959, their son Douglas Allen was born. On April 8, 1961, their oldest daughter, Deiadra (Dee Dee) Louise, was born.

The couple moved to Greeley, Colorado, in 1962, where Jerry rode a horse to deliver feed at Monfort of Colorado Cattle Company. In October of 1965, the couple moved to Cozad, NE. On August 15, 1966 their third child, Dawn Marie, was born. Jerry worked at Monfort of Colorado Grain for Lloyd Wilson as office manager for 25 years. Jerry always said that he was a very lucky man, not only because he was married to Carolyn, but also because he was able to forge a very special relationship with Lloyd and Marge Monfort- Wison. In 1981, the Monfort of Colorado Grain in western Nebraska was assumed by Peavy Company of Minneapolis, MN where Jerry continued to work as the Office Manager. In 1984, Jerry established Sharp Electric, and he became a prominent electrician in the Dawson County area for the next thirty-one years. After retiring, he continued part-time to tinker, fix, and advise others regarding all things electrical. Jerry was a 60-year member of the Cozad Elks Club and a 50 year member of First United Methodist Church. He served as the President of Cozad Jaycees in 1970-71, and he was awarded a community service award by the Cozad Chamber of Commerce Director 1974-1976.

Jerry’s hobbies included pheasant/goose hunting, housing Purple Martins, fly-fishing throughout Wyoming, Montana, Yellowstone National Park, fishing for walleye and trout in Nebraska, Colorado, and on the Arkansas River, tending to his pond, yard, and home, tracking the weather, and going to the movies.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf Elmo Sharp and Helen June (Rehyer) Sharp, and his wife, Carolyn (Venn) Sharp, and brother-in-law, Keith Dunlap, along with special friends Marge Wison, Lloyd Wilson, Kathrine (Sheets) Wilson, Halsey and Bob Herrington, Ed and Gloria Klein, Wallace Hannappel, Ronnie Hampson, Chuck and DeEtta Hartman, and Gary Morrow.

Survivors include his sister Charla Rae Dunlap of Eads, Colorado; his three children, Douglas (Diana) Sharp of Prairie Village, KS, Deiadra ‘Dee Dee’ (Kevin) Smidt of Sheridan, WY, and Dawn (Andy) Wright of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Grandchildren include Lucas (Kelsey) Sharp of Johnstown, Colorado; Katie (Bobby) Gardner of Chiefland, Florida; Paul Smidt of Westminster, Colorado; Dr. Annie Smidt-Desmond (Jace) Desmond of Omaha, Nebraska; Kamera (Adam) Wolfe of Cudjoe Key, Florida; Ian (Callie) Wright of Lincoln, Nebraska. Jerry’s eight great-grandchildren include Hunter, Logan, and CJ Sharp, Alton and Islay Wright, Penelope and Magnolia Wolfe, and Tate Desmond. Honorary grandchildren are Kalen and Karly Venn.

Additional family members include Sharon Venn, Janice and Bobby Oswald, Greg and Penny Venn. Jerry enjoyed socializing with many friends in Cozad. He especially loved his daily coffee club, card group, walking with friends at the Cozad Wellness Center, and sharing evening meals at the Cozad Elks Club. His many friends entertained Jerry as he shared his family pictures after every adventure.

Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to Cozad Elks Lodge, Cozad United Methodist Church or Wilson Public Library. Services will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Bellarmee Milosi officiating. Burial will follow at Cozad Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be held Friday, April 24, 2026 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.