Howard Sharper, Jr.

Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Howard gave his life to the Lord at an early age. As a young man, he attended Houghton Elementary, then proudly played football for Central Junior High and Saginaw High Schools before continuing his education at Ferris State University and Saginaw Valley State University.

Howard worked briefly for General Motors at Grey Iron Foundry. Following his college education, Howard worked at Saginaw County Community Action Center (C.A.C.). He owned and operated Midwestern Planning Associates and Sharper Image Photography, and was volunteer manager for Saginaw Valley Food Co-Op. Howard served the community of Saginaw in a number of public roles including working on the Human Planning Commission.

Howard is most well-known for his work in radio broadcasting. He made his mark as a DJ at W3Soul (WWWS 107.1FM), gathering, writing and reporting news for WSAM 1400 AM and WKCQ 98.1 FM. He taught Broadcasting classes at Delta College and at WUCX 90.1 FM Delta College Public Radio. As Program and Production Director and the “Doctor of Jazz”, Howard enjoyed promoting the talents of many local musicians and friends, especially Mike Brush, Pat Cronley, Larry McCray, Laurie Middlebrook and Sharrie Williams. Howard was elected vice president of the Michigan Public Radio Network for the 2010-11 program year and also served a term as secretary.

After retiring from broadcasting, Howard returned to his lifelong passion of photography, starting Drive-By Photography and using it to promote the city and county of Saginaw through beautiful images. He made intentional efforts to help his neighbors – everyone was Howard’s neighbor - and organize public cleanup projects.

Howard will be remembered for his soothing voice, photographic eye and benevolent nature. Howard would help someone even to his own hurt, trusting the Lord to provide if he did what the Lord asked of him. God proved his faith time and time again.

Howard was married to Vivian Isaac. To this union was born a daughter, Sofana Brandi Sharper. Vivian pre-deceased him.

Left to cherish many blessed memories are his wife of forty-three years, Ruth A. Sharper of Saginaw, Michigan; six daughters, Sofana, Briana, Maisha, Tulani, Mariama, Kalifah; four sons, Mazi, Kanyama, Issa Beno, Kito; twenty-four grandchildren, Reginald, Na’Lisa, Vivian, Aaron, Action, Princess, Te’Aaron, Yancy Jr., Jeffry Jr, Jahdiel, Jordan, Jehiel, London, Azel, Olivia, Safiya, Isabel, Alexia, Cassidy, Luca, Nico, Amani, Alanna, Sophia; six great-grandchildren, Khaleel, Branden Isaac, Lylah, Ta’Mir, Aaliyah, Kai; sisters, Rev. Gwendolyn E. (Rev. Jerry) Hatter, Ollie Ruth Sharper; nieces, Kim, Ayana, Johari; nephews, George IV, Zachary, Michael, Silas Vincent; aunt, Mrs. Bessie Green; many cousins, including special cousin John (Phyllis) Sharper; sister-in-law, Marie DeBrodt Williams; brothers-in-law, Rev. Jerry Hatter, Paul DeBrodt; special friends/family, Omawale Art Smith, Winston R. Travis, Tim Cross Sr. and family, Kathy Woods Booth, Ernest & Sabrina (Morris) Crimes & family, Frenesa Reynolds & family.

Howard was preceded through the Gates of Heaven by his parents Howard M. and Ruby Jewel (Muckleroy) Sharper Sr.

There will be a Service of Remembrance: Scripture, prayer and a time for people to share their memories of Howard, from 4:00 – 6:00pm on Sunday, 28 October 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church, 915 Federal at Roosevelt Austin Avenues. Memorial service will be at St. John on Monday, 29 October 2018 at 11:00am, Rev. Jerry Hatter presiding.

The family would like to express special thanks to MMR, Saginaw Fire Dept., Saginaw Police Dept., MSP Trooper S. Austin, St. John Lutheran Church, The Potter’s Touch Ministries family, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.