I still miss dear Dr. Ben Tharp. Whenever I pass by his clinic on foot, I always think of him fondly. He remains an important part of my memories of my four Boxer dogs, two of whom rest in peace on his property -- under the hoofs of his gentle horses.  When I see my dogs  in heaven one day, I fully expect to see their caring vet, too!

Dr Ben Tharp was our vet for over 36 years at Voss Road Animal Clinic. My daughter and I Thought of him as not only our vet but our friend. He was not only an exceptional veterinarian but a wonderful Loving person and a faithful Christian. 
He  Not only loved all the pets he took care of, but also their owners. He watched as my daughter grew from a very  young age to adulthood and never fail to ask about her. He was thrilled that she was an Aggie also ! When she got her first pet, a Boston Terrier, of course she would have no other vet take care of her precious Milee except Dr Tharp. It was he who was with her when she went alone to the clinic  to take Milee on that last day. Dr Tharp was so compassionate  and comforting.
She had lived for 13 years under the wonderful care of Dr. Tharp.
We greatly miss him and  think of him  often with fond memories, but know how  blessed we were to have known him for so many years. 
May God hold his spirit in His Hands

Dear Family of Dr. Tharp,

I have tears in my eyes as I write this condolence to the loved ones of the sweetest veterinarian I will ever hope to know.

Because I no longer have dog companions, I wasn't aware of Dr. Tharp's December 10, 2019, passing until this past Friday. My neighbor, who brings her dog Mia to Voss Road Animal Hospital when her family goes out of town, told me this sad news just before they went to Ft. Worth for a family funeral. (I think the occasion reminded her to tell me about my one-time vet.) I'm sorry my note to you is so belated.     

Three reasons (among many) that I love Dr. Tharp:
(1) When I was an animal activist more than a decade ago, he was one of the few Houston vets to sign a petition that requested federal legislators to make horse slaughter illegal in the US -- and shipment of horses to Mexico and Canada illegal. This was just before the last slaughterhouse in Texas closed its doors. I will always respect him for his willingness to stand up for our innocent equine friends. 
(2)  When one of my four Boxers was ready to be put peacefully to sleep, Dr. Tharp sat at our side on the floor, cried with me, and said a teary goodbye to Lucius. He then brought Lucius' body to his farm and buried it under the grass upon which his horses graze. 
(3) A few years later, when my last Boxer, Oscar, passed away suddenly during a walk (right after we had been praying together behind a church), my dentist friend Scott, whose office was across the street, helped me lift Oscar into his SUV trunk and drove me to Voss Road AH. I didn't leave the premises until I was assured Dr. T.  would bury Oscar's remains near the spot where his Boxer brother Lucius rests.  I know without a doubt that my vet kept his promise!

There are plenty of other reasons I'll always think fondly of this dear doc, but I've used all my allotted space here. God bless this wonderful man and his entire family -- including all his creature friends!       

I’m so saddened to hear about Dr. Tharp’s passing. He was so genuine and kind, and truly interested in each animal and person. I grew up taking all of my pets to him, he treated them like his own. Prior to children, my sisters and I fostered dogs and on a few unfortunate occasions a pup would fall ill and we would rush them to see Dr. Tharp for prognosis and treatment. He treated each foster as if they were his own. Each of them walked away from his care with a clean bill of health, ready for their forever home. I’m grateful for his kind disposition and his all encompassing love for animals. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. 

I cannot begin to tell you how sad I am, that we and all of our beloved  animals,  have lost the kindest, most compassionate, empathetic, knowledgeable, pragmatic man and veterinarian I have ever had the gift of knowing.  Dr. Tharp, “Ben” cared for my beloved Goldens Hero and Lily for nearly 24 years.  I believe he loved my dogs as I did.  He cared for them and treated them as his own.  Hero passed 7 years before Lily.  He was cremated.  Ben was with him when he passed.  7 years later Lily passed in his arms as well.  Ben buried them together on his land.  A gift of the heart I shall never forget.  God Bless you Ben Tharp.  The world is a richer kinder place for you having trod upon it.  Mary Ann Scardino

We are very, very sad when I called  Voss Road Animal Clinic to schedule my dog for her visit today.   He has taken care of all my dogs since 1980 (first dog after college).  He was always the kindest and caring person you could imagine.  I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family on this tremendous loss but he is with God watching over the whole family.   He talked so lovingly about all of his family and always asked about ours.  Such a blessing to have known him for almost forty years as our vet and friend. 

So saddened by this news. Dr Tharp cared for my cat for 17 years.  I always drove out of my way for his character, respect and kindness.  His staff 
Is so caring.  ❤

I was shocked and saddened to receive the email about the sudden passing of Dr. Tharpe. He was our vet for 21 years. He was a remarkable vet and person who not only cared about each and everyone of my boxers but he cared about the pet owners too. He loved to talk about college football, his place in the country and his grandkids. He was loving everything life had to offer at this stage in his life. God must have been ready for Dr Tharpe to join him in heaven to call him home at this time in his life.  The McDaniel family and our dogs will surely miss him. Thankful that I will see him again in eternity some day. I’m sure all of the animals he helped across “ The rainbow bridge” are happy to have Dr Tharpe in Heaven with them. 
Prayers for his family and staff at Voss Road Animal Clinic. 

I am still in shock over the loss of Dr. Tharp.  He has been our vet for almost 30 years. He will be truly missed. My schnauzers absolutely loved him.

With a heavy heart, I send all of my sympathy to his wife, children and grand children through this difficult time.

Sherry Abbott

I am so truly sad to hear this.  He was such a nice man and a great vet.  One of my beloved pets is in his pet cemetery!  He was such a true animal lover.  I am so sorry to hear of his passing.  He will be profoundly missed.  We almost always shared memories of the Big Bend area when we went to Voss Road.  Condolences to the family and co-workers.

December 26, 2019
I just learned of Dr. Tharp’s passing and can never express my gratitude and love for this wonderful servant of God. My pets and family came to love him for the almost 40 years he treated all of us. Whenever we brought a pet to see him he always made us feel his genuine concern for our human as well as our pet family. He took such incredible care of 6 cats and 4 dogs through years of joy and sorrow. He sincerely felt and shared your emotions. Even my Aggie son when he adopted his dog would bring him from Midland to see Dr. Tharp. There could never be a more compassionate and truly good person as Dr. Tharp. He shared stories about his family and his love for them always shone through. I know he is in Heaven and prayers are lifted for his family.
Ginger Himelright, Houston, Texas

Dear Mrs. Tharp and Family,
I absolutely loved Dr. Tharp ever since I was introduced to him while visting my friend, Lisa, who worked there one summer while in Vet school at A&M, more than 30 years ago. He was so funny and I just remember that he had us all laughing so hard~We started taking our pets there soon after that!He gave me his cell phone number one time when I was so worried about our dog, Kodi, in case I needed to call him.I was so shocked! My own doctors never even did that!! I can remember all our visits to him with our pets over the years.I remember when he took one of our dogs home with him over a weekend too.
He was so genuinely caring. I saved his message to me after he learned about us having to put Kodi down and I still have it on my cell phone~ I bet it was at least 8-10 years ago. Sometimes, when I listen to my few special saved messages, I  think, Gosh, I need to erase it, but I always end up keeping it! Now, I am so very glad that I have it! He was such a GREAT GUY and left such a wonderful Legacy! He always seemed so humble. I don't think that he knew how much he was TRULY LOVED by all of us who were VERY LUCKY to have known him!He was SO very special to our family and all of our pets! I hope when you read all of these heartfelt messages, that it brings you a bit of comfort!
Love, Kim Gavens

We were so sorry about Dr. Tharp.  He took care of all our dogs for over 30 years...  We loved him so much and he cared about our pets.   I did not hear about this until I went over to Voss Road Animal Clinic the other day...  Prayers for the entire family. This is such a great loss.  
Tua and Brian Burke
our four poodles... Cowboy. Cody, Annabelle and Lucy.

We were so blessed to have Dr. Tharp take care of our pets over the last 30+ years.  His gentle compassionate care for all animals was so greatly appreciated.  Many times he cried with us when we lost a beloved pet.   Several of our pets have been buried on his farm property.   He will be missed by so many.  Our prayers for his family and the Voss Road Animal Clinic family.

Mickey and Judy Gallaway

Dr. Tharp was an exceptionally kind human being. He’s taken care of all of our beloved pets and handled each one of their passings with such tenderness and care. God just received an angel. Our most sincere condolences.
The Turner Family

We are so saddened to learn of Ben's death. He was a deeply compassionate man and loving veterinarian. He took care of our family for about 40 years and 11 beloved pets. He would take our sick pets home with him to care for them.  He will be missed by many for a long time.

I saw Doctor Tharp as a mentor. He was what got me interested in the medical field and helped me in my growth in Christ. The Lagerstrom's  and the rest of our brothers and sisters in Christ will truly miss him. I'm keeping the Tharp family in prayer.



The Lagerstrom's

We were honored to have known Ben since we started going to VRAH more than 20 years ago.  In all that time, his talent, humor, and humanity were foremost among the reasons Laura and I continued to bring all our fur kids in from West Houston when many other competent vets were much closer.   Condolences to Ben's family, friends, and colleagues.  The world is a sadder place with his passing.

Dr. Tharp was truly the sweetest man. He has been our veterinarian since we moved to Houston 15 years ago and we adored him. We are all so very sad to lose him. It will not be the same when I take Millie and Hazel to the vet from now on. We will keep his wife, children and grandkids in our prayers. He talked about his family every time I saw him. He adored all of you. 

The Becks
Millie and Hazel

Dr Tharp was simply the best!   Not only was he an excellent doctor, he sincerely cared for the animals he treated and for their owners.  Once he took our cat home with him for the weekend to watch him and make sure he was OK.   He buried several of our cats on his property.    We were so blessed to have known him and so blessed to have him take care of all our cats through  20+ years.  We will miss him so and pray for his wife and family. 
 Willie and Jody Jordan 

Dr. Tharp was a wonderful man who cared so much about people and their animals. He took great care of our family pets Ruby, Daisy and Lilly. He was cheerful and always had time to talk. We will miss him. Prayers for his family and family at Voss Road. 
The Knight Family

 We will never forget Dr. Tharp or his loving kindness toward our beloved dog - she has since passed on, but was able to live a long,  full, and happy life thanks to Dr. Tharp - he saved her life when she was just a puppy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tharp family and the Voss Road Animal Clinic family. 

The Vaughan Family

There will never be anyone as special or as loving as Dr Tharp.  He has taken care of my pets as well as my well being for over 20 years and I feel I have lost a member of my family.  Prayers to his family and all his co-workers as Voss Road.

Dear Mary Ellen and family,
We shall always remember Ben not only as a gifted surgeon, but also for the kindnesses he showed us during the thirty five years he was our vet. He mentored our daughter, Andrea, wrote letters of recommendation for our kids, donated to their community service projects, and consoled us when one of our doggies passed. 
We shall always smile when we think of him. Our hearts and thoughts are with you. 
Jorge and Vero Albin

So sorry to hear about Ben's passing. Stacie and I will always remember him from our times in the singles department at Tallowood Baptist Church, and our days later as young married couples. He had such a great sense of humor. I remember his chili with a horseshoe at our wedding shower. Mary Ellen, you have our prayers.

Mary Ellen and Family,
We are sorry to hear the news. Everyone will miss Ben. He was one of those people you just don't forget. He loved the Lord and was a faithful Brother in Christ. He was a good teacher but took instruction well. Smart but humble.  Rich  in ways but generous to many. Serious when it was necessary but knew the importance of laughter in life. I am thankful for the many years I was able to work alongside him at KBC. We  know his love  for the Lord and his family will endure by the impact he has had on lives.
May God Bless you and keep you until you see our Savior and Ben.
Daryl and Joyce Rapp

He had a beautiful gift of faith and loving animals and people. He will be missed by so many. Sending our deepest sympathies to your family. 
The Abell family Houston 

Dear Mary Ellen,
Our hearts break at this news of our friend, Ben’s passing. He was Robert’s best friend and running buddy through high school. Then, you and Ben were such sweet couple friends when we were still young married folk living in Houston.  
My pets loved Ben’s  gentle care and I always got a laugh with his quirky humor.
He will be greatly missed but he left behind a trail of fun memories and kind deeds— a legacy that lives on. We look forward to our reunion one day in Heaven!
Our sincere prayers are with you and the family! Robert would come if he could but he is overseas now.
Blessings on you and may our  loving Heavenly Father hold you in His arms and comfort you! 
Robert & Cindy Munisteri 

Dear Mary Ellen and Family, 
Sorrow fills my heart for each of you. Ben was always kind and welcoming to Kaycie and to me. We had the pleasure of being subject to his delightful wit and quirky sense of humor. Always genuine, always smiling, always serving others, Ben was an asset to our church family as well as to the  community at large. We join others in expressing our deep grief at his sudden entry into heaven's gates. Together, we will cling to fun memories of Family Camp, homeschool clinic visits;  baby raccoons in Sunday school and gatherings at your homestead.  Perhaps twin (triple) fiddles and a pedal steel guitar may be heard in heaven? 
 We may live far from you, Mary Ellen, but we are thinking of you and will continue praying for all. 🙏🏼💞

OBITUARY

Dr. Benjamin Earl Tharp

February 11, 1955 – December 10, 2019

Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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