David Henry Shares “Grandpa Peanut”

Greece: Saturday, August 8, 2026 at age 88. 

Dave was born in his family home on October 10, 1937 to the surprise of his big brothers who had gone to the movies with their father.  The family lived in Williamson and Rochester in the Charlotte area.  A self-made man who put himself through college where he earned his BS in Chemistry from the University of Rochester and Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology.  He worked with Eastman Kodak Company as a Chemist and, once retired, started his own business, Cleanroom Education, where he traveled the world and U.S. training companies on the proper set up and use of cleanrooms.  Dave and Carol often hosted families from other countries through an exchange program at Kodak offering the opportunity for the entire family to learn about different cultures.  An avid supporter of our discriminated and less fortunate populations, he was very active in the civil rights movement in the late 60’s, tutored inner city students in math and helped to build homes for low income families.  He was a sports enthusiast and had a deep love of ice hockey, especially his beloved Montreal Canadiens.  Through the years he coached, refereed and thoroughly enjoyed watching his sons, grandson and granddaughter play.  In his early 40’s he took on distance running completing 16 marathons including Boston and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.  In retirement he and Carol visited many different countries in Europe and elsewhere.  Russia, Italy, France, Syria, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Holland and Great Britian to name just a few.  They both embraced the culture of each land they visited and it’s people.  Avid scuba divers, they also made several excursions to the Caribbean and Costa Rica.  A lifelong learner, he was a true renaissance man with well educated interests in so many areas.   His family will miss him dearly but rest easy knowing he is at peace and now reunited with Carol (Grandma Swoons) and Ken.

Predeceased by the love his life, wife, Carol Greenauer Shares; son, Kenneth (Karen Carlson Shares) Shares; parents, Willard and June Shares; brothers Milton and Floyd Shares; in-laws, Edward and Lillian Greenauer; sisters-in-law, Rita and Kay Shares and; brother-in-law, James Jackling.  Survived by son, Brian Shares; daughter, Karen Shares Murray; grandchildren, Konnor (Stephanie) Shares, Zachary (Katie) Shares, Kelsey (Austin) Simmons, Brianna (Cody) Kalicharan, Kyle Shares, Megan Murray, Brennan Murray, Joshua (Lindsay) Erwin, Hannah (Stephen) Canary; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Joan Greenauer Jackling; wife’s cousin, Sally Hillis Hughes; many nieces, nephews, and dear neighbors/friends. 

The family will celebrate his life privately followed with Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery where he will join Carol in eternal bliss.  In his honor, please consider donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation and Wilmot Cancer Society.