Loren Edward Tharp was born on July 19, 1937 in Gays, Illinois to Loren Sevester Tharp and Loar Dailene (Glaspell) Tharp. He was second of sixteen children. He left this life on October 14, 2019 at the age of eighty-two.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Claudene (Montgomery) Tharp of the family home. Three children, Eddie Daryl Tharp and wife Angela; Deborah Carol (Tharp) Tuhey and husband Michael; Billy Dale Tharp and wife Karen; six grandchildren, Jonathan Allmon and wife Amber; Nathan Allmon; Alecia (Tharp) Burleson and husband Mark; Jesse Tharp and wife Marissa; Edward James (EJ) Tharp and wife Susannah, and Jamie Lynn Tharp; seven brothers, Charles Tharp and wife Rosalee; Freddy Tharp; Jimmy Tharp and wife Delores; Jerald (Dee) Tharp and wife Cookie (deceased); Garry Tharp and wife Darlene; Jerry Tharp and wife Jan; Keith Tharp and wife Marilyn; five sisters, Elaine Redburn and husband Carl (deceased); Betty Tharp Teddar and husband Rollin; Verna Mae Murphy and husband Wayne; Patricia Joyce Snethern and husband Jerry; Shirley Tharp and husband Clay (deceased), and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Larry (Dick) Tharp and Terry Lee Tharp, and one sister, Lela Kay Tharp.
He married Betty Claudene Montgomery on December 21, 1957. They were married sixty-one years and nine months.
Ed joined the Army National Guard in 1954 at the age of seventeen and was honorably discharged on April 11, 1983 and continued in the Army Reserve until July 19, 2002. Ed was very proud to serve his country and was the Motor Pool Sergeant for many years.
He gave his heart to the Lord at a young age and was active in the church as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and secretary treasurer. In later years he served in the nursery and was Grandpa Ed to many.
He loved antique tractors and was a member of the Ozark Older Iron Club. He could be found most days in his garage, working on his tractors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s or the Gary Sinise Foundation for Veterans and can be left at Carter Funeral Home.
The family deeply appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 18, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Worship Center, West Plains, Missouri.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
Burial will be in Elk Creek Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
October 16, 2019 @ 4:53 pm
Mrs. Tharp, Billy, Karen, and the Tharp Family,
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to all of you upon the passing of Loren. He was a pleasure to be around and I loved his personality too. He will be missed. All of you will be in my daily prayers/thoughts. May God comfort, encourage, and support each one of you thru this difficult time. May God bless each one of you.
In Christian Love,
Amber(Cozort)Redburn