Sharron Ackles wore many hats and made even more contributions to the Kailua-Kona community, and it will be her warm smile, rosy cheeks and grace which she carried through life that friends and family will remember her for. ADVERTISING Sharron
Sharron Ackles wore many hats and made even more contributions to the Kailua-Kona community, and it will be her warm smile, rosy cheeks and grace which she carried through life that friends and family will remember her for.
Ackles passed away on August 24, 2015 at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu at the age of 69.
“Sharron will be fondly remembered by those she touched as gentle, devoted, fun, energetic, infectious, generous, strong, comforting, gracious and encouraging,” her family wrote in a biography. “She was a friend and mentor to all and will be sorely missed.”
Ackles guided the IRONMAN World Championship Triathlon through the turn of the millennium as race director from 1992-2002. She and her husband Joe were volunteers at the event before she took over the role. Her goal was to make each race special and to continue to bring the Aloha Spirit to the event.
“She fought hard to keep the world championship race in Kona, knowing in her heart it was the Aloha Spirit that made it so special to the athletes, sponsors and volunteers,” said Gerry Rott, a long time friend of Ackles. “She was determined when she became the IRONMAN race director to make sure the world saw that spirit as well.”
One of Ackles best attributes as a leader was making the stressful task of putting on the large-scale race entertaining.
“IRONMAN week was some of the most exhausting work I have ever done,” said Rott, who is the race director of the Lavaman Triathlon. “But with Sharron at the helm, you could do it with a smile on your face, lots of laughs and a team of people who knew how to work hard, have fun, respect and protect each other and end with a sense of fulfillment and pledge to be back the next year to do it all over again. Sharron’s leadership helped to make that happen.”
Ackles’ passion for the Kona community was evident from where she spent her time. She served as the Governor’s Liaison from 2003-2006 and served on the boards of many community organizations including: Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce, PATH, YMCA, Children’s Advocacy Center, West Hawaii Advisory Committee, West Hawaii Beach Conservation, MADD, Keauhou Triathlon and Lavaman Triathlon.
After an eight-year absence from the islands, Joe and Sharron returned to Kona this year.
“Sharron’s love for the Kona community was huge,” Rott said. “When Sharron spoke, she spoke from the heart and her passion for people and the belief in what she was doing shined through.”
Ackles is survived by husband, Joseph D. Ackles of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Shelly Reese of Texas; sons, Mike Ackles of California, Joe Ackles of Texas and Brandon Ackles of Alabama; sister Susan Andell of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Bill Planchon and Ben Planchon of California; mother, Betty Wright of Arizona; father, Jack Wright of California; step-father, Melvin Wright of Idaho, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Joe and Sharron celebrated 55 years of marriage in January of this year.
A memorial service will be held at Keauhou Bay on Saturday at 9 a.m. The family requests loose flowers and causal attire. A memorial website has been set up at forevermissed.com/sharron-ackles with further details. Following the service, there will be an opportunity to share stories and memories, as well as a scattering of flowers in Keauhou Bay and a potluck lunch.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to netcommunity.pancan.org in Ackles’ name for pancreatic cancer research.
