Philip Edward Sharkey of Hermiston passed away on Jan. 10, 2020 near Echo at the age of 56.
He was born on Jan. 2, 1964 in Enterprise to William and Esther Akes Sharkey.
Philip attended grade school in Joseph and at AC Houghton Elementary School in Irrigon. He graduated from Riverside High School in Boardman in the class of 1982. He then attended Blue Mountain Community College, where he studied agriculture and small engine mechanics. Next he studied agribusiness management at EOSC in La Grande, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business.
Philip worked for Wilbur Ellis for 20 years. He then worked at the Umatilla Army Depot as a chemical agent for several years. He always ran small trucking and farming businesses on the side, but began Platinum Transportation in 2003 and operated South Ranch for many years.
Philip was a lifelong member of the FFA and enjoyed being a soccer coach for several years. He enjoyed going to the mountains where he would hike, ride motorcycles, ride horses and go camping.
Philip married Lora Little in Hermiston on Sept. 2, 1989.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lora; daughters, Kayla and husband Jacob Potter, and Kimber and husband Darrin Watson; son, William Sharkey; seven grandchildren; mother, Lonnie (Bill) Danner; father, Bill Sharkey; brother, Patrick Sharkey; sister, Fran Horn; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Kevin Charles Sharkey, on Dec. 17, 1965.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at New Hope Community Church, 1350 S. Highway 395, Hermiston.
Philip’s family requests that all people who attend the service wear their favorite color of blue.
Family suggests memorial donations in Philip’s memory be made to the Hermiston FFA.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
