GLEN ALLAN — Services for O.J. Sharpe will be Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, at Lake Washington First Baptist Church in Glen Allan, at 11 a.m.

Visitation is Sunday, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church.

Odus Johnnie Sharpe Jr. died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at his home.

He was born May 1, 1939, to Odus Johnnie Sharpe Sr. and Irma Barrett Sharpe in Jackson.

Raised in Madison, he graduated from Madison High School in 1957 at the top of his class of nine total students.

He attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship, receiving a degree in mechanical engineering in 1961.

He served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla., where he met his bride, Patsy Green, and they married in 1963.

O.J. worked as an engineer with a NASA contractor to help put an American on the moon. He continued as a design engineer for various companies until coming to Issaquena County in the Mississippi Delta, where he would farm with his father and brother, Marc. He continued to farm for the next 47 years, the last 25 years with his son, Matt.

O.J. had lots of interests, but anyone who knew him would agree that flying had his heart, second only to his family.

He held commercial, instrument, single and multi-engine land, single and multi-engine sea ratings.

Over the years, he crop-dusted with Clark, Stearman, and AgCat aircraft. He loved vintage aircraft and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association for 52 years, and a member of the International Cessna 195 Club.

His quick wit and never ending sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him, and some who didn’t, for O.J. never met a stranger. His generosity touched many. However, one will never know just how many; O.J. did much of his giving anonymously.

He lived his life fully with an evident love for Christ that showed most in the way he treated others.

There is no doubt that his Savior met him with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

O.J. is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat; and his four children, Lisa Murray (Shannon), Andy Sharpe (Lisa), Lauren Renfroe (Land), and Matt Sharpe (Carol); 13 grandchildren; his siblings, Kathryn LeMore, Marc Sharpe, Karen Deem, Mary Anne Narron.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Living Water International, a non-profit organization that provides clean water to people around the world.