Former Texas banking executive Richard T. Sharpe, 80, passed away after a brief illness on November 30. A graduate of Texas Tech University and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, he began his banking career in 1962 as vice president of First National Bank Weatherford. In 1965, he moved to Brownwood and joined the First National Bank Brownwood as executive vice president. In 1971, he was named president and CEO of Coleman County State Bank, then returned to Brownwood in 1972, becoming president of First National Bank, which later became Republic Bank. In 1984, Sharpe was named president and CEO of Citizens National Bank Brownwood, retiring in 1995.

Sharpe always said he became a banker to support his ranching habit. Being a rancher was always his true dream, which he made come true. While he took pride in raising cattle, he also had a passion to use the land for optimal grassland management. He always truly felt himself a cowboy at heart. As a young boy, he would ride his Shetland pony to the movies on the town square each Saturday. He continued his love for horseback riding as an adult, riding for both the Sheriff’s Posse for both Parker and Brown counties. He incorporated his cowboy ways into his banking career by wearing his trademark cowboy hat and boots each day with his suit. He was always happiest at the ranch in Indian Creek.

Sharpe was a member of the board of trustees of Howard Payne University for 28 years and a member of the Brownwood Economic Development Corp., Brooke Ramey Foundation, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Baptist General Convention of Texas executive committee, United Way and the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cherry, and his parents, Roy and Lottie Sharpe. He is survived by son and family, Carter, Kristi, Mabrey, Emma and Graham; son and family, Brad, Christen, Ellis, and William; and numerous nieces and nephews.