Six-Year-Old Donor Hero's Legacy Inspires Hope

Granny Bill and Josh

There are no time limits to the gift of second chances, a fact proven by the life and legacy of the courageous and joy-filled six-year-old Joshua Blake “Josh” Sharp, who touched many lives in his six short years.

Raised in Grandfield, Oklahoma, Josh was an active, fun-loving child. He had just started the first grade and had a talent for making friends everywhere he went. Josh liked to go out into the country and shoot BB guns with his father, Philip, take trips out to fish in local lakes and ride four-wheelers at the Red River. He was a Tiger Cub Scout and enjoyed simply spending time outside.

Josh had an incredible love for his family; his mother, Gayla, sister Macee, his Granny Bill and Papa Noel, Grandpa Jerry, aunts and cousins, and his pup named Bubbles.

“He changed my life when he was born,” said Philip. “I didn’t know there could be that kind of love until I held him. He impacted so many and changed the trajectory of my life.”

At the beginning of summer in 1993, Josh was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that doctors believed would resolve with age. However, after additional tests were performed, the medical team found an inoperable brain tumor, leaving Josh with just months to live.
Before he passed, while traveling through Devol, Oklahoma, with close family friends, Josh told them there were dinosaurs in the area. A few years later, his loved ones were surprised to hear that mammoth bones were discovered near the small town, and today, Josh rests in Devol.

The Sharp family had always been proud supporters of organ, eye and tissue donation, a conversation passed down through generations of Oklahomans. Through the selfless gift of kidney, heart and liver donation, Josh saved four lives, offering others the gift of second chances.

“Josh is why I’m registered to be an organ donor,” a family friend shared. “He was an amazing little guy and happy as can be.”
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Now, thirty years later, Josh’s father Philip has established a non-profit organization in his honor called Josh’s Doghouse. The new organization, the first of its kind in Oklahoma City, seeks to provide free boarding for pets of those who are receiving treatment for substance abuse. This service will give Oklahomans an opportunity to receive the vital care they need while ensuring their pets are loved and cared for. Josh’s Doghouse will continue Josh’s compassionate legacy of organ donation, giving others a second chance and a renewed outlook on life.

“I have no doubt that if Josh would have lived, he would have continued to do great things,” said Philip. “God chose to use him this way to touch the world, and I know that each day is one day closer to seeing him again. I use Josh’s memory as motivation to keep going and to help others through Josh’s Doghouse.”

April is Donate Life Month. LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to register their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, and to share that decision with family. One person’s legacy makes an impact for decades, inspiring hope for all those in need of a lifesaving or life-enhancing transplant. To register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, visit www.LifeShareRegistry.org. Learn about how you can support Josh’s Doghouse at Joshsdoghouse.org.

About LifeShare Oklahoma, Inc.
LifeShare Oklahoma is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs for transplant purposes. We work closely with 159 hospitals in Oklahoma and transplant centers across the nation.

About Josh’s Doghouse
The Joshua Blake Sharp Foundation, dba Josh's Doghouse, will provide foster homes/boarding for pets while those in need seek treatment for substance abuse. Josh’s Doghouse was founded in 2025 in honor of organ donor hero Josh Sharp.