Ronald John Sharp, a former U.S. Army Green Beret and successful real estate developer who traveled the world from the Pyrenees to Southeast Asia, died on July 27, 2026. According to an obituary from Probst Family Heber Valley Funerals, a celebration of life for Sharp is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City.
A Life of Global Exploration
Born on April 13, 1949, in Newport Beach, California, Sharp was the son of John and Pearl Sharp. His early life was defined by a passion for adventure, specifically surfing and riding motorcycles. After completing high school, Sharp enrolled at Chapman College but chose a path of global exploration over traditional academics. In 1968, he joined the World Campus Afloat program, a decision that led him to explore destinations spanning South America, Europe, and North Africa. Sharp reportedly preferred the classroom of the world to academic halls, eventually leaving college to return to Europe to continue his travels.
Travels Through Europe and the West
Sharp's travels led him to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1969, where he met and married Lona, a professional figure skater. His journey continued across the Pyrenees on a motorcycle, an excursion that included navigating through an unexpected snowstorm. After returning to Southern California, Sharp's interest in the mountain West prompted him to explore various mountain towns on his motorcycle, a pursuit that eventually led him to settle in Sun Valley for more than three decades.
Military Service and Real Estate Career
In 1971, Sharp was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he rose through the ranks to serve as a Green Beret. During his military training, he married Lona in 1972. During his deployment to Thailand, Lona joined him, spending their early years as newlyweds in a hostile fire zone. Following his military service, Sharp returned to Sun Valley to launch an entrepreneurial career in real estate. He began with Trail Creek Co. Realtors, focusing on residential properties, before founding Ronald J. Sharp and Associates, which specialized in commercial real estate development and property management.
Professional Legacy and Passions
Through his real estate firm, Sharp became a significant developer in several regions. His projects included commercial real estate developments in Ketchum and Bellevue, Idaho, as well as Washington state. In Utah, his professional reach extended to Park City, Price, and St. George. In 2001, Sharp and Lona relocated permanently to Utah. Beyond his professional life, Sharp was a founding member of the Surfing Heritage Foundation and remained an avid enthusiast of skiing, cycling, and motorcycles.
Family and Final Tribute
Sharp is survived by his wife, Lona; his eldest daughter, Kahrin, and her husband Robert, along with their children Colin, Lyla, and Conner; his youngest daughter, Katrin, and her husband Ed, and their daughter Anika; and his siblings, Lynda and Dan. Reflecting on his life, Sharp was known to say, "I've had a blast, I wish I could do it all over again."
Memorial Service Details
The celebration of life for Ronald John Sharp will be held at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, located at 777 Deer Valley Drive in Park City, Utah. The event is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Mountain time on Sunday, Aug. 23.
