Buddy was born on October 16th, 1947, in Mobile, AL and grew up in Atmore, AL and Fort Walton, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, O.H. Sharpless, Jr. and Frances Cargill Taylor. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Elizabeth Ann Sharpless, his daughter Valerie Sharpless, son Brad (Margo) Sharpless, grandchildren Marley Sharpless and John Holland Sharpless who he lovingly nicknamed “Sugar Face” and “Little Man”, sisters Frances (Cary) Shell, Pensacola, FL and Ginger (Ronnie) Bryant, Prattville, AL, and numerous nieces, great nieces, great nephews, and many friends he also considered family.
Buddy was very athletic as a child and throughout high school playing football, baseball, and basketball. In 1961, he was on Atmore’s All Star Baseball Team that went to the first ever Sr. Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
In 1970, Buddy graduated from Troy University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. While he was at Troy, he served as Senator at Large and often worked with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He started a job with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama on June 1st, 1972, and continued until his retirement on February 28th, 2009. He was promoted to executive director on January 1st, 1974, and shortly after started Jones School of Law where he would earn a law degree. He served the State of Alabama and its 67 county governments for the next 35 years. During that time, he held many positions and served on numerous state and national boards. In August of 2021, one of the ACCA buildings was named in Buddy’s honor.
Buddy enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching his grandchildren play sports. He was an active member of First Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years. He was a man of integrity in his professional and personal life. Buddy was a loving and loyal son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be Monday, May 13th, 2024, at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, at First Baptist Church-Stakely Sanctuary at 3:00 PM. Guests will be received starting at 2:00 PM.
Pallbearers are John Holland Sharpless, Philip Mitchell, Clint Howell, Wes Phillips, Archie McDow, and Charles Dickey.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Respite for All Foundation (www.respiteforall.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
A special thank you to Baptist Hospice for the care given to our loved one.
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