Kenneth Roy Sharp, 73, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas, after a long and courageous battle with dementia and Parkinson's Disease.

Ken was born on April 24, 1951, in Bakersfield, California, to Virgil Roy and Lorena Faye Adams Sharp. He attended Oklahoma Central State University (now known as the University of Central Oklahoma) and graduated with a double major in Business and Management. Throughout his college years, Ken worked multiple jobs to support himself and his young family. After graduation, Ken owned and operated Missouri Package in Seligman, Missouri, and Top Mart in Tontitown, Arkansas. After retiring from self-employment, he served Northwest Arkansas automotive enthusiasts as a car salesman and inventory control manager at Springdale Ford and George Nunnally Chevrolet. Ken was known for his ability to connect with customers, earning a loyal following that would seek him out at various dealerships. He often joked that he could "sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves." After a successful career in the automotive industry, Ken worked briefly as an Asset Protection associate at Walmart Store 5260 in Rogers, Arkansas. He greatly valued the friendships he made with his Walmart colleagues and customers, particularly the veterans who stopped by to visit. Ken was a self-proclaimed workaholic who thrived on interacting with the public throughout his various careers. He was known for his feisty sense of humor and his storytelling, which often imparted life lessons to his family and friends.

Ken had a lifelong love of flying and obtained his private pilot's license in 1979. He delighted in taking friends and family for rides in his Cessna airplane, affectionately named "The Squab." Two of Cindy and Kellye's favorite childhood memories include flying to Vinita, Oklahoma, to visit the "fancy" World's Largest McDonald's, built as an archway over I-44, and watching him perform aerobatic stunts over Lake Wister during family reunions, much to the surprise of unsuspecting family members.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Roy and Lorena Faye Adams Sharp.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Gaya, of the home; two daughters, Cindy Whiteaker and husband Randy of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Kellye Elwood of Edmond, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Shelby Ramirez and husband Adrian of Rogers, Arkansas, and Micaela Brandon and husband Rhett of Bentonville; one great-granddaughter, Charlotte Brandon; sisters, Jeannie Loyd and husband Bob of Mustang, Oklahoma, and Patty Land of Bentonville; several beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and his special canine companion, Buddy.

The family kindly requests donations be made in Ken's memory to the Rogers Humane Society, Circle of Life Hospice, or the Alzheimer's Association.

Ken was also a dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and rarely missed a televised game. In recognition of his love for the Cardinals, the family will host a Cardinals-themed celebration of life at a later date.

Ken's memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.