CLARENCE ALBERT THARP

VeteranClarence Tharp

Clarence Albert Tharp, 86, of Vian, Okla., formerly of Rushville, died at 11 a.m. Aug. 12, 2007, at the Vian Nursing Home.

He was born April 6, 1921, near Rushville, a son of Loren and Mary Edna Fey Tharp. He married Madge Evans on Nov. 20, 1945, in Rushville. She died Nov. 10, 1992.

He also was preceded in death by one sister, Gladys Lomax; one infant brother, Lewis Glen Tharp; and one granddaughter, Rebecca Downard.

Surviving are two daughters, Barbara (and Bud) Downard of Cookson, Okla., and Mary Sue (and Richard) Zilm of Braceville; three sons, Steven (and Nancy) Tharp of Park Hill, Okla., Terry (and Sharon) Tharp of Brownsboro, Texas, and Mark (and Deanna) Tharp of Kilgore, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He attended Bethel Grade School and graduated from Rushville High School in 1941. After graduation, he attended sheet metal school.

He joined the United States Navy in 1941. He served in the Naval Air Corps and was stationed in England and North Africa.

He sold Fuller Brushes and life insurance and worked in construction. In 1965, his family moved to Gardner, where he worked for Peabody Coal Co. He later moved to Equality, Ill., where he retired. He moved to Oklahoma in 2004.

He was a member of Schuyler American Legion Post #4 and United Mine Workers.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville with David Haney officiating. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by his legion post and U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to his legion post.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.

 

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/15/2007