Niranjan Kumar Sharma

Kathmandu, Nepal to Rohini and Shanta Satyal, he was the oldest of seven children.

Niranjan came to the US in 1965 on a Fulbright Scholarship and attended Texas Christian

University, where he earned his Masters Degree in Education.

While at TCU, he also met his love, his bride of 55 years, Karen Kurz Gay. They were married in December, 1966. He began working at the Big Spring State Hospital, and soon after, he and Karen moved to Midland with their two young daughters in 1970. In Midland, Niranjan began his career working with young people as a counselor and case worker at the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. His career also took him to the Texas Parole Board, and later, back to counseling youth at the Texas Youth Correctional facility in Pyote, Texas.

While in Midland, Sharma was very active in the community. He was a leader in the local

Toastmasters International chapter for many years, expanding and helping others get better at

both English and public speaking. Sharma was also instrumental at expanding the Midland

Soccer Association, where he served on the board, coached several teams, trained countless

referees, and brought FIFA attention to the city. In addition to all of this, he was also a season

ticket holder and supporter of LEE High School Football. He also rarely missed any of his

daughters’ dance, cheer, sports, or theater events, and continued this tradition of support with

all five of his grandkids.

In 2012, the Sharmas retired to Cedar Park, Texas. While in Cedar Park, Niranjan quickly

became involved in the community. An active member of Live Oak Unitarian Universalist

Church, he served on several important committees, including chairing the committee to choose

a new minister. He also taught several courses at Live Oak, about Hinduism and Philosophy. In

addition to these activities, he also became the director of the local AARP chapter, and served

on the district and state boards as well. With one of his daughters teaching, Sharma

represented Cedar Park Middle School with Destination Imagination for several years, and with

the theater program as well.

Sharma loved games and sports. In the 80s and 90s, he could often be spotted at the Midland

College student center challenging the national champion basketball team to table tennis

matches. He considered himself a master at Yahtzee and loved almost any card game with friends and family (and plenty of trash talk).

But what Sharma (affectionately known as Gumpers by his grandkids and their friends) loved

most of all was watching his grandkids at any sporting or school events - football, baseball,

swimming, and of course, his favorite - soccer.

In addition to all of his community families, Niranjan Sharma is survived by his wife of 55 years,

Karen Sharma. He is also survived by his brothers and their wives: Promod & Renu Sharma,

Ajaya & Nana Satyal, Jaya & Mala Satyal, of Florida; and Bijaya & Asha Satyal; and sisters

Anjali Sharma and Tara Sharma, of Kathmandu, Nepal; his daughters and their husbands, Nira

& Jerry Greer, of Midland, Texas and Nisa Sharma & Jon Porter of Cedar Park, Texas; his

grandchildren: Chase & Lauren Greer, Dylan & Bailey Greer, Garrett & Lexi Greer, of Midland,

Texas, Z.S. Porter, of Brooklyn, and Ike Porter, of Cedar Park.

He is also survived by his six great grandchildren: Paisley, Tenley, Everly, Ellie, Hattie, and

Whitman Greer, and so many treasured cousins, and nieces & nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Rohini Satyal, and mother, Shanta Satyal.

*A Celebration of Niranjan Sharma’s Life will happen on April 9th in Midland, Texas.

Services will be held at 9:00 am at Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Hwy.; followed by

interment at 11:00 am Resthaven Memorial Park, also in Midland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in his name. Sharma’s favorite charities benefited the

youth of the world.

Two of these are:

Save the Children - Nepal: https://nepal.savethechildren.net/

Manna Worldwide: https://mannaworldwide.com/