Joe H. Sharp Jr., 86, a highly respected leader in the banking industry, passed away on June 30 in Longview. After graduating from Mineola High School in 1956, he earned a BBA degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University and gained his license as a certified public accountant. He also attended and later taught at the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
With a career in banking that spanned more than 60 years, Sharp was employed by banks in Mineola, Marshall, Cleveland, Angleton, Jacksonville, Dallas and Longview. He was the chief executive officer of four of the banks and chief lending officer of two. He joined the Austin family of banks in 1984 when Jacksonville-based Austin Bank acquired Texas National Bank in Longview. It was during Sharp’s leadership as president at Texas National Bank that Austin Bank’s operations expanded into Longview and surrounding East Texas communities. He played a significant role in the growth and expansion of the bank.
At the time of his passing, Sharp was serving on the boards of Austin Bank and Austin Bancorp Inc. In addition, he was a member of the senior loan committee, dean of the bank’s STAR program, an Austin Bank Lending School instructor and had consulted for the bank since his retirement in 2006.
Sharp was a member of numerous civic organizations and served on the board of trustees at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville and as a director for the Texas Bankers Association.
Sharp is survived his wife of 66 years, Brenda Castloo Sharp; daughter, Lesley Sharp; nephew, John T. Edge and wife, Felicia, their two sons, Tomas and Lucky; sister, Martha Sharp Neill and children, Ellen, Hank (Tracy), Perry (Lindy), Matthew (Nancy) and Andrew (Kathy); longtime family friend, Annette Hall, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
For those wishing to honor Sharp, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, Attention: Administrative Office, 3123 W. Marshall Ave., Longview, TX 75604.
Established in 1900, Austin Bank has 40 Texas locations within 28 cities and 14 counties. Austin Bank is locally owned and operated by the Austin family, which is celebrating 116 years of service in the Texas banking industry.
