Dr. Eugene “Gene” B. Sharpe, 80, died Sunday, August 24, 2008 at Laurels of Summit Ridge.  Born in Greensboro, NC on October 21, 1927 as one of seven children to the late Charles Cleveland and Mary Lewis Sharpe. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Charles, Mary Francis, Doris and Richard Sharpe.

     Gene graduated in 1945 from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, NC where he actively participated in football and baseball.  He received his undergraduate degree in 1949 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his graduate degree in medicine from Northwestern University in Chicago in 1952.  Gene served his Internship and General Practice Residency at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1952 to 1954 and then in the US Air Force Medical Corps at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX until 1956.  He then served his Residency in Radiology at Northwestern University Hospitals in Chicago from 1956 to 1959.  Gene moved to Asheville in 1959 where he worked for Asheville Radiological Group until 1986. 

     An avid fan of UNC Athletic Programs, Gene was often seen wearing Carolina Blue; but family and friends were his greatest love and joy.

     He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley; daughter, Linda Sharpe Mitchell of Asheville; sons, Richard of Berryville, VA and David of Western Massachusetts; brothers Carl of Greensboro, NC and John “Leslie” of Candler, NC; six grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

     A memorial service will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, September 13, 2008 in the Chapel of Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue. 

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Buncombe County Medical Society Foundation, 304 Summit Street, Asheville, NC 28803 or The Health Adventure, PO Box 180, Asheville, NC 28802.