Dr. James Vance "Kits" Sharp

James Vance Sharp, “Kits”, was born July 17, 1924 in Reidsville, NC to Annie Britt Blackwell Sharp and James Merrite Sharp. In high school he enjoyed musical studies on the clarinet and piano, played baseball and football, and earned the BCA rank of Eagle Scout. He attended NC State College in Raleigh but was drafted in 1942 to the US Navy Reserve. He entered the Navy Reserve Active Duty and the Navy V-12 program at Duke University later completing his medical training at Wake Forest University’s Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1948. After subsequent surgical training, he entered private practice in Reidsville, NC. In 1964 he entered the United States Navy. His duty stations included St. Albans, NY; Viet Nam as Commander of 1st Medical Battalion where he achieved the rank of Captain, and at Naval Hospital Jacksonville as chief of surgery. Between 1969 and 1975 he had the honor of serving on and leading the NASA DOD Emergency Surgical Team. This group of highly trained medical specialists was assigned to handle any medical emergencies that might occur during the launches of the Apollo, Skylab, and Apollo-Soyuz missions. This duty earned him the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Other assignments included Chief of Surgery and Director of Clinical Services at the USN Hospital in Naples, Italy (’75-“78) and Thoracic Surgeon and Chief of Surgery at the USN Hospital, Charleston, SC (’78 – ’85). A veteran of three wars (WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam), he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”. Upon retiring from the Navy in 1985, he continued his surgical practice as Chief of Surgery for the VA Hospital in Lake City, FL, and as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine. From there, he and his family settled in a home on the St. Johns River in Green Cove Springs. At every location, he sought and enjoyed the fellowship of other musicians and the opportunity to perform. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gwen Roberts Sharp, and four children: Sally Paulissen (Chris) of League City, TX; Molly Sharp of Jacksonville, FL; James Sharp (Deborah) of Yadkinville, NC; Annie Dahmen (John) of Fredericksburg, VA, and four grandchildren: Zachary Paulissen of Pittsburgh, PA; Jordan, Carleigh and James Dahmen of Fredericksburg, VA. A passionate believer in the blessings of strong family values, his love and leadership will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 25, 2011 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Rev. Pearl Boles officiating. Visitation will be in the chapel one hour prior to the service. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the Village Improvement Association, 17 Palmetto Ave., Green Cove Springs. Interment with military honors will be held at 2:30 pm Friday, February 25, 2011 at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his name to: Florida United Methodist Children’s Home 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725 386-668-4774 www.allchildrenfirst.org Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.