Judith “Judy” Jane Sharp, age 77, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, August 30, 2024, at Grace Chapel in Scottsbluff, Nebraska with Pastor Bruce Peterson officiating. Inurnment will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. The service will be live-streamed and recorded to Judy’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Judy was born April 10, 1947, in Tiffin, Ohio to Jean and Marjorie (Simonis) Riley. She graduated with the class of 1965 from Columbian High School in Tiffin. Judy then attended Ohio State for two years before transferring to the University of Wyoming where she graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
Her first teaching job was in Kimball, Nebraska. It was there she met Bob Sharp. The couple moved to Reno in 1971 and were united in marriage on August 10, 1972. They welcomed their first child, Shelby, in 1974 while residing in Reno. The family also moved to Gering in 1974. Three years later in 1977, Judy became the proud mother of twin daughters, Stacie and Stephanie. A fourth daughter, Shauna, was born in 1982.
Judy became the physical education teacher at Gering Junior High School, a position she would hold for 35 years until her retirement. She was very involved in Gering athletics and was a volleyball coach, assistant soccer coach, and ran multiple intramural sports programs throughout the years.
She was an active member of the community, participating as a member of Grace Chapel, Gering Education Association member, Friends of The Library, Campfire Boys and Girls Leader, MOPS leader, Oregon Trail Days volunteer, Clownin’ Around Drug-Free Organization, DARE, REACH, Parent Teacher Association, Mothers of Twins club, and so many more over her lifetime.
As a community leader, Judy was a women’s advocate for athletics and equal opportunities. She liked college football and basketball and the Denver Broncos. Judy was most well-known for her kind and uplifting spirit. Her encouragement and motivation for her students and everyone she encountered was contagious and genuine. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener (purple iris were her favorite). Judy enjoyed cold margaritas, coffee, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She raised four strong daughters and was a faithful friend and wife and a devoted mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Lee Sharp of Gering, NE; daughters, Shelby Lynn (Rob) Sharp-Druckenmiller of Gering, NE, Stacie Lee (Chris) Sharp-Schinker of Chandler, AZ; Stephanie Leann Sharp of Santa Barbara, CA, and Shauna Lane (Peter) Vassallo of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren, Zayden Sharp-Druckenmiller, Callie Schinker, Katy and Major Cartell, Gracie McGeoy, and Vito and Vada Vassallo; brothers and sisters, Dave (Irma) Riley, Michael (Shelly) Riley, Patricia (John) Bremer, and SueKay (Fred) Segrist; sister-in-law, Paula (Marv) Brown; nieces and nephews, Brian Riley, Wendy Cort, Steven Riley, Trisha Riley, Heather Sendelbach, Gary Bremer, Eric Heck, Jay Heck, Natalie Segrist, Gina Ray, Adam Riley, Sara Bame, Terri Brown, and Gini Powers; along with extended family members and friends.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Marjorie Riley; mother-in-law, Thelma (Joens) Sharp Henson; fathers-in-law, Wylia “Jinks” Sharp and Richard Henson; brother, Dave Riley; brother-in-law, Marvin Brown; nephews, Greg Bremer and Brian Riley; niece, Terri Brown; and her beloved Schnauzers, Sammy and Sadie.