Max Sharpe

Lab retiree Max Sharpe died June 12. He was 88.

Born in Detroit, Mich. on Dec. 3, 1921, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, and served for 22 years. Sharpe was a veteran of World War II as well as the Korean War and received many awards and citations for his contributions.

He married June Beatrice Yuengert on April 28, 1945 in Detroit. The couple transferred to various locations around the country and his last duty station was Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, Calif., where he retired in 1964.

He worked at the Alameda Naval Air Station as a civilian aircraft mechanic for three years. He retired from the Lab after 11 years.

He and his wife relocated for the last time to Sun Lakes, Ariz. to retire in the warm, beautiful climate of the desert city. He stayed very active and involved in the Sun Lakes community.

He enjoyed helping decorate for large parties at the club house and the evening’s dinner and dancing. He also enjoyed golf, tennis, bowling and cards. He read many books and documentaries on the Marine Corps.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, June, who died in 1995. He also was preceded in death by his second wife Helen Cobb.

Sharpe is survived by his daughter, Sabrina, and her three boys Jason, Justin and Jeremiah Salzwedel, of Tempe, Ariz., his son Darwin, daughter-in-law Darlynn, and their three children, Jordan, Laura and Emily; and his two great-granddaughters, Cameron and Ashlynn, of Reno, Nev.

Services will be held today (June 18) at the Sun Lakes Chapel, Ariz. Immediately following will be a memorial celebration at the Sun Lakes Club House. Interment will be with full military honors, with his wife June, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

Contributions may be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, Attn: First Sgt. Davis, 14063 W. Gillespie St., Luke AFB, AZ 85309; or, the Arizona Lutheran Academy, 6036 S. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85041.