1932
Richard
2017
Richard Tharp
July 12, 1932 — February 22, 2017
Richard Paul Tharp, 84, of Grundy Center, IA, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at his home in Grundy Center with his wife Darlene at his bedside, while under the care of UnityPoint Hospice. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Grundy Center, preceded by one hour of visitation at the church. Private burial will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Shell Rock, IA.
Richard, son of Florence Hunt Tharp and Paul Ezra Tharp, was born on a farm near Shell Rock, Iowa on July 12, 1932. Richard graduated from Shell Rock High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He married Darlene Pruin on December 17, 1955. They have five children, Debra, Chris, Linda, Dwayne & Karen. Richard was a dependable and hard worker. He worked at John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo for 30 years, before retiring in 1994.
Richard always loved and cared for his family. They came first. He enjoyed camping with them in Colorado, fishing, reading and computer technology. Richard was a self-taught electrician and mechanic. He enjoyed repairing small appliances and electronics for friends and family. He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Darlene of Grundy Center; 5 children Debra Tharp of Marshalltown, IA, Chris (Gary) Ciddio of Grundy Center, IA, Linda Tharp of Waverly, IA, Dwayne (Vicki) Tharp of Dunnegan, MO and Karen (Mike) Ralston of Nevada, IA; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren John and Phoebe Ryan, Marissa Ciddio, Ellysia (Jordan) Cottrell (their children Brecken & Tilleah) and Dominic and Derek Ciddio, Jessica Tharp, Peter (Becca) Ralston (their children Grace Ann & Cooper), Benjamin and Daniel Ralston; also his brother James (Marilyn) Tharp and family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother Billy Tharp.
Richard, son of Florence Hunt Tharp and Paul Ezra Tharp, was born on a farm near Shell Rock, Iowa on July 12, 1932. Richard graduated from Shell Rock High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He married Darlene Pruin on December 17, 1955. They have five children, Debra, Chris, Linda, Dwayne & Karen. Richard was a dependable and hard worker. He worked at John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo for 30 years, before retiring in 1994.
Richard always loved and cared for his family. They came first. He enjoyed camping with them in Colorado, fishing, reading and computer technology. Richard was a self-taught electrician and mechanic. He enjoyed repairing small appliances and electronics for friends and family. He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Darlene of Grundy Center; 5 children Debra Tharp of Marshalltown, IA, Chris (Gary) Ciddio of Grundy Center, IA, Linda Tharp of Waverly, IA, Dwayne (Vicki) Tharp of Dunnegan, MO and Karen (Mike) Ralston of Nevada, IA; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren John and Phoebe Ryan, Marissa Ciddio, Ellysia (Jordan) Cottrell (their children Brecken & Tilleah) and Dominic and Derek Ciddio, Jessica Tharp, Peter (Becca) Ralston (their children Grace Ann & Cooper), Benjamin and Daniel Ralston; also his brother James (Marilyn) Tharp and family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother Billy Tharp.
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