Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in the small town of Story Indiana, Sharp received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana State University in 1953, a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1957, and later received a Master of Arts from Butler University in 1986.
He was a United States Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel from 1957 to 1984.
He was in private practice of law in Williamsport, Indiana from 1957 to 1968.
[1] On September 13, 1973, Sharp was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana vacated by Judge Robert A.
He served as Chief Judge from 1981 to 1996, and assumed senior status on November 1, 2007, and served in that capacity until his death on July 9, 2009, in Granger, Indiana.