Kevin L. Sharp

Kevin L. Sharp, 51, of Independence, MO, passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, February 20th . Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 24th at Country Meadows Baptist Church. Cremation to follow. Kevin resided at Monterey Park Nursing Home for the past six years. He was born at Perrin Air Force Base in Denison, TX, but grew up in Independence, MO. He is survived by his parents Wilbur L. and Sharon A. (Henry) Sharp; sister and brother-in-law Kimberly and Nick Bott; and three special canine family members Abby, Whitney and Maggie. A graduate of William Chrisman High School in 1972, he went on to pursue his dream of nursing, earning his LPN from Jennie Lund LPN School, his RN degree at Penn Valley and ultimately obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Graceland College in 1988. While obtaining his degrees and for a short period thereafter, Kevin enjoyed a 20 year career with the Independence Regional Health Center. Beginning as a direct patient care nurse while still in school, he worked his way up to becoming the Orthopedics Clinical Manager with total responsibility for operations, management and budget. Cruelly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1982, he continued helping others by becoming involved with the National MS Society while still continuing nursing. After the disease affected his hands and he was unable to practice nursing, he was a full time volunteer and staff member of the Society. For a brief period he did labeling, but soon his knowledge and ability to continue nursing by assisting the newly diagnosed patients was discovered. Kevin felt that his life goal was indeed helping those people come to terms with the disease and find meaning in their lives. He was much admired for his caring nature, humor, love of the Lord and the battle he waged against this terrible disease. He will be greatly missed by those he has left behind.