Larry Sharp, the former 28-year president/CEO of the $855million Arrowhead Central Credit Union in San Bernardino, Calif.,died Monday at the age of 72.

Sharp passed away after battling colon cancer, according toThe Press Enterprise, a Riverside, Calif.-basednewspaper.

The California Credit Union League praised Sharp for his 45-year legacy of volunteerism and leadershipthat advanced the interests of the Golden State's credit unionmovement and the local Inland Empire community.

“I know many of you have had the privilege of knowing Larrythroughout the years,” California and Nevada Credit Union LeaguePresident/CEO Diana Dykstra, said in a statement. “He volunteeredhis time and served Arrowhead Credit Union, the community, and thecredit union industry on the state and national level. His presencewill be missed by many.”

Darin Woinarowicz, president/CEO of ArrowheadCentral CU, said Sharp did so much good for the community andannounced Wednesday that the credit union will honor his memorywith a sizable contribution to a local foundation.

“I have known Larry to be an absolute gentleman who truly caredabout his community, Woinarowicz said. “In acknowledgement, we willbe making a $10,000 donation to Loma Linda Children's HospitalFoundation, where he served on the board.”

His long and distinguished credit union career, however, wasblemished when Sharp was fired by the NCUA on July 14, 2010, alongwith three other executives, after the federal agency placedArrowhead into conservatorship on June 25, 2010.

His dismissal became an industry-wide controversy when Sharphad objected toNCUA's intervention, which garnered the support of someindustry leaders.

In an interview with CU Times, he acknowledged Arrowhead wasstruggling after the Inland Empire region suffered major job lossesand home values plummeted. However, he said the credit union was onthe road to recovery. The NCUA contended that Sharp's performanceprojections were toooptimistic.

About two weeks after losing his job, Sharp was named to atwo-year appointment as vice president for university advancementat California State University-San Bernardino where he led theschool's University Advancement Division. He retired from thatposition in October 2012, according to The PressEnterprise.

After he retired, Sharp stayed in touch with his fellow creditunion leaders and continued championing the industry's philosophyof people helping people, according to the California league.

He attended the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues' 2014Annual Meeting and Convention in October in Los Angeles. The leaguesaid Sharp was called on stage with fellow colleagues who wererecognized in past years as winners of the Leo H. Shapiro LifetimeAchievement Award. Sharp received the league's highest honor in2008, which recognized those who have made a lifetime ofcontributions to the credit union movement.

Sharp launched his credit union career in 1965, at the age of23, when he was hired as the general manager at Solar FederalCredit Union. He spent 14 years there before becoming president/CEOof San Diego Navy Credit Union. In October 1982, he was hired aspresident/CEO of Arrowhead CU, then known as San Bernardino CountyCentral Credit Union, according to the California league.

“Sharp distinguished himself as a pioneer in the industry, andhis vision led to Arrowhead CU becoming a leading financialinstitution, benefiting its members and the community at large,”the California league said in a statement. “He was a dedicatedvolunteer and business leader who worked on issues ranging fromeducational and philanthropic opportunities, minority development,mentoring future leaders, economic development, transportationissues, and business expansion.”

Sharp also co-founded the Arrowhead Political Action Committeein 1996, which served as a model for other credit unions, accordingto the league. Additionally, his work with the World Council ofCredit Unions helped promote credit unions throughout the world,especially in Mexico and China.

“The credit union movement has meant so much to me personally,”Sharp said in a league profile article. “I strongly believe in themovement and want to further it as much as possible. I have alwaysfelt that credit union leaders must participate not just in theoperations of the credit union, but also in the community and ingovernment affairs in order to make the voice of all credit unionmembers heard.”

A memorial service will be held for Sharp at 10:00 a.m. Feb. 21at the National Orange Show, 690 S. Arrowhead Ave., Gate9-Renaissance Room, San Bernardino, Calif. 92408.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Larry SharpScholarship Fund for Renaissance Scholars at California StateUniversity, San Bernardino or for the Loma Linda Children'sHospital Foundation.