Ralph William Tharp

Ralph W. Tharp, of Guthrie Center, Iowa, formerly of Adair, Iowa, passed away on November 19, 2019, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa, of natural causes.  Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Guthrie Center, Iowa, on Friday, November 22, 2019, at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the First Baptist Church. The family will be greeting guests from 9 to 10:00 AM. Burial will be at the Eureka Center Cemetery located ten miles south of Adair. Ralph was born on the family farm south of Adair, on May 5, 1924, the first child of Glen Arlan Tharp and Esther Jones Tharp.  He attended the Eureka Center grade school and graduated from Adair High School in 1941. He attended Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa, and while there enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was sent to Milwaukee State Teachers College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for further education. He was then sent to flying school and received his wings at Luke Field, Arizona. He served in the Southwest Pacific as a 1st Lt. Fighter Pilot flying P-38's with the 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group.  Following military service, he returned to the family farm in April 1946. He was married to Maryon Potter of Honey Creek, Wisconsin, on October 12, 1946. They had two children, Karol and Robert.  As a youth, he attended the United Brethren Church at Eureka Center. Upon its closing, he joined the Adair Methodist Church in 1937. After giving testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, he followed the Lord in believer's baptism and joined the First Baptist Church, Guthrie Center, Iowa, on September 28, 2008.  Ralph was a Charter Member of Adair VFW Post 8877. He also served five years on the Eureka Center School Board, three years on the Adair Independent School Board, and six years on the Adair-Casey School Board. He served for several years on the Adair County FHA Board, Fontanelle Lumber Yard Board, and as director and agent for the Greeley Mutual Insurance Company.   He is survived by his wife Maryon of Guthrie Center; daughter Karol Mueller and husband William of Perry, Iowa; son Robert Tharp and wife Patricia of Splendora, Texas; grandchildren Brian Mueller and wife Kelly of Winterset, Iowa; Anthony Mueller and wife Teresa of Boone, Iowa; Lisa Jaks and husband Michael of Splendora, Texas; Rory Tharp and wife Michelle of Pineville, Louisiana; Daniel Tharp and wife Chelsie of Crosby, Texas; and great-grandchildren Zachery and Caleb Mueller of Winterset, Iowa; Chase and Brady Mueller of Boone, Iowa; James Rory (JR) and Sofia Young of Splendora, Texas; Riley Tharp of Pineville, Louisiana; Kylie Tharp of Crosby, Texas; Brayden and Anja Jaks of Splendora, Texas; a nephew, Kevin Chesnut and wife Nancy of Panora, Iowa; and a niece, Christine Crispi and husband Vincent of Independence, Missouri. Preceding him in death were his parents, Glen and Esther Tharp; and his sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Melvin Chesnut.  Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church in Guthrie Center or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.twiggfuneralhome.com.