James Lee Tharp

September 18, 1946 - September 5, 2019

James (Jim) Lee Tharp went home to be with his father September 5, 2019, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous fight with cancer. Jim was born September 18, 1946 in Detroit Michigan to parents Earl Tharp and Connie Hayes Tharp. Jim moved to Anaheim California in 1963 where he joined the United States Marine Corp and then completed his High School education. Shortly after his high school graduation he received his orders to be deployed to Vietnam where he fought for his country for 13 months and then returned home to complete his service.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Connie Tharp, his grandson Christian Tharp and his wife Karen Napier Tharp of 22 years. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Vivian Midkiff Tharp, Six children and their spouses; Angela and Kelly Corbell; Darrin and Lori Tharp; James and Jenny Tharp; Heidi and Rick Damon; Jeremy and Amanda Tharp and Mandy and Tom Wren. Fourteen Grandchildren, Three Great Grandchildren and two more little blessings coming in the months ahead. Brothers and Sister; Jerry Tharp, Terry Tharp, Gilbert Tharp and Mary Koll and many more Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.

Jim moved to Texas with wife Karen in 1967 and soon after he began a 34-year career as a Houston Fire Fighter. Jim had a special love for softball. He played softball all through life and after retirement joined a Senior Softball league where he played all over the U.S. for many years. He played and coached on several teams winning National Titles. He himself has received multiple All Tourney and MVP awards throughout his softball career. Jim was inducted into the Texas Senior Softball Player Hall of Fame on August 29, 2014. Softball became his ministry. He made a point to share God’s word, pray with teams before and after games and helped many players find salvation through Christ.

Jim had a great love for hunting as well. He enjoyed the great outdoors and marveling God’s creation of animals and beautiful scenery from Colorado to Texas. Hunting was serious business to Jim, but pranks and fun was always a part of the hunt. So many lasting memories were made with his family and friends over the years.

Jim’s legacy is a special one! His passion in life was to serve GOD and do for others. He touched so many hearts and made friends everywhere he went, the memories are endless. He never met a stranger and if you were a waitress in a restaurant and had the privilege of serving him, he made your day with tips, kindness and words of encouragement. He loved his family beyond words! There was nothing he wouldn’t do to see them through the hard times of life. Family gatherings were always filled with words of wisdom from his heart and he always found a way to keep his children in check. He was not at all shy about the truth of life. He was a warrior and a man of God. One of the questions he made a point to ask whether you were a stranger, a friend or family, “Do You Know, That You Know, That You Know”? This led him to the real question. Do you know where you will spend eternity? We can rejoice in the fact that Jim knew, that he knew, that he knew!