K-State graduate, WWII veteran and former K-State instructor celebrates 100th birthday
When H.J. "Jim" Sharp ’50 first started attending K-State after serving in World War
II, he found that showing some K-State pride helped him get the transportation he
needed to classes.
Initially, he hitchhiked weekly from his parents’ home in Herington — with a leather
bag emblazoned with a K-State sticker — which guaranteed him a ride to school.
“It was an interesting experience,” recalls Sharp, who came to K-State after a friend
who was enrolling invited him to tag along.
Sharp eventually graduated with a degree in business administration, and K-State became
a treasured part of his family’s legacy. Each of his three children attended K-State,
and three of his grandchildren.
The family recently gathered to celebrate a very special occasion — Sharp’s 100th
birthday — at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan.
Sharp was born in rural Morris County, the fourth of five children, and devoted his
early years to working at the family farm. Despite having two older brothers already
serving in World War II, Sharp surrendered his farm deferment and volunteered for
the U.S. Army in 1944 at the age of 19.
He served as a replacement during the Battle of the Bulge for Company B, 18th Infantry Regiment First Infantry Division, and landed in the European Theater
of Operations at LeHarve, France. He earned three battle stars, a bronze star and
was wounded in action. Following his Battle of the Bulge service, he was selected
to be a guard at the Nuremberg trials.
When he returned to Kansas, he used the G.I. Bill to attend K-State. He began his
career in database management with Kansas Farm Bureau, ultimately retiring as manager
of information systems. He also was an independent business systems consultant and
taught information systems classes at K-State and Fort Riley.
Over the years, Sharp has remained active in the community, attending K-State Athletics
events, Kiwanis, Vista Coffee Group and American Legion VFW activities. He served
as a founding member and first president of the Northeast Kansas Battle of the Bulge
organization, and he raised awareness and funds for the preservation of Manhattan’s
Peace Memorial Auditorium for WWII veterans.
About 200 people attended Sharp’s 100th birthday party at Meadowlark Hills' Prairie
Star Restaurant, and he was featured on local news. Some of the distinguished Kansans who offered birthday greetings included K-State
director of athletics Gene Taylor; head football coach Chris Kleiman; K-State President
Richard Linton; and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.
“It was a nice celebration,” Sharp said. “I met a lot of old friends and new friends.
We had a grand time.”
More about Sharp
Sharp is featured in Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division Museum, which showcases the history of the division from its beginnings in 1917. He is included in the story of the division’s duties at the Nuremberg trials following WWII. The exhibit includes a door from Nuremberg, a mannequin of Sharp standing guard, and a video interview with Sharp.