Raymond Allen Sharpes, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed to his eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. He was born on August 21, 1938, in New Bern, North Carolina, to the late Lowell Sr. and Lucille Sharpes.
Raymond was the youngest of six children. He attended Pleasant Hill Elementary School near Harrisonburg, Virginia, in Rockingham County. He graduated from Dayton High School in Dayton, Virginia; Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree; and Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He was ordained into Christian ministry on June 24, 1965.
Raymond faithfully served as a pastor for 52 years in churches located in Auburn, NY; Rochester, NY; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Salem, OH; Fairfield, OH; Oxford, PA; Auburn, NY (again); and Springfield, OH. Raymond also was a chaplain for Gordon Foods.
He retired and moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio, on July 15, 2015. Raymond loved sports, enjoying both playing when able and watching games on television and at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Above all, he loved people and was passionate about sharing the Christian faith and God’s saving grace.
Raymond married Ruth Schwanke in May 1959, and they shared 50 years of marriage before her passing in January 2010. He later married Patricia Jones on February 15, 2020.
Raymond is survived by his four children: Rev. Scott (Wendy) Sharpes; Gregory (Cheryl) Sharpes; Nancy Sharpes; and Thomas Sharpes. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Brittney (Benjamin) Hoffman of Wichita, KS, and Bethany (Kent) Swanson of Olathe, KS; four grandsons, Nick (Lindsey) Sharpes; Jake (Charissa) Sharpes; Eric (Sarah) Sharpes; and Nathan Sharpes; and six great-grandchildren: Riley Hoffman, Peyton Hoffman, Westyn Hoffman, Coltyn Hoffman, Cameron Swanson, and Jackson Swanson.
He is also survived by three step-children: Mark (ReJeanda) Jones; Alison (Jonathan) Morris; and David Jones; and five grand-step-grandchildren: Emma Jones, Ethan Jones, Jack Jones, Levi Morris, and Cole Morris.
Raymond has one surviving brother, Rev. Dr. Wayne (Wanda) Sharpes of Lima, OH.
Calling hours will be held at Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m., and Monday, January 19, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. A private burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Painesville, Ohio.
Live Stream Link: lakeholm.org/funeral
The Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Vernon, Ohio are honored to serve the family of Raymond Allen Sharpes.
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com