Boyd D. Sharp of Umatilla passed away in Hermiston on June 29, 2021 at the age of 85.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1936 in Grand Coulee, Wash. to Edward and Hallie Bower Sharp.
Boyd travelled extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest throughout his childhood, attending schools in Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon and Idaho. He married Anne Corrine Turcotte in Spokane, Wash. on June 24, 1956. The couple lived in Spokane, Baker City, Pendleton and Klamath Falls before moving to Umatilla in 2000.
Boyd served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years. He worked as a pastor for the Church of God in Baker City and Spokane. He then attended Whitworth University in Spokane, where he received his bachelor’s degree in psychology. He continued his education at Oregon State University, where he completed his master’s degree.
Boyd worked throughout his career as a drug and alcohol counselor. He started the Baker County Council Alcohol and Drug Program. He later ran a similar program in Pendleton. He worked as a drug and alcohol counselor in correctional facilities in Baker, Umatilla and Klamath counties. He also authored a book, “Changing Criminal Thinking.” He taught college courses on changing criminal thinking for a short time in Klamath Falls.
In 2000, Boyd retired from counseling and moved to Umatilla, where he kept busy serving the community. In Umatilla, he was involved with Landing Days, volunteered at the library, served on the city council, volunteered for reading programs at Umatilla schools, and was active with the museum. He also enjoyed going to Club 24 in Hermiston, where he exercised four to five days a
week. He trained so he could walk the Camino de Santiago trail in Europe, which he did three times.
Boyd enjoyed elk hunting in the Granite area and loved spending time in the mountains. He went on several salmon fishing excursions in Canada, and he would often take family members on fishing trips.
He is survived by his sons, Rocky Sharp and Mike (Jo) Sharp; daughters, Deb (Joel) Underwood, Sue Sharp and Barbara (Mark) Lizotte; 13 grandchildren, Cindy, Shane, Rachel, Aaron, Anna, Andrea, Joe, Stephanie, Leah, TJ, Chantal, Josh and Bella; and 14 great grandchildren.
Boyd was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Anne on Feb. 2, 2018; his parents; and three brothers, Terry, Carroll and Ed.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, 685 W. Hermiston Ave.
Family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
