November 25, 1936 – October 1, 2024
On Tuesday October 1, 2024, at the age of 87, Melvin Tharp passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and children.
Melvin was born November 25, 1936, in Arp, Texas. Later his family moved to Houston, Texas. During his childhood a tragedy happened, when Melvin, his sister Betty Joe, Brother Billy and a few neighborhood friends stumbled upon a round ball. Curiously they decided to put a match in it. It exploded. Causing bodily harm. It appeared they found a cannonball from the Spanish American war. Fortunately, all children survived the blast and recovered with time. As Melvin grew up he met the love of his life, a young beautiful Joann Corder. At the ages of 18 and 16 these two joined together in holy matrimony and began a journey of a lifetime. 69 years together is proof of their commitment and deep devotion to one another.
After a few years together they welcomed their first born, Melvin Boyd. As time passed, they welcomed Paula, Lori and then a set of twins, Glen and Glenda Michelle. This was also the time in which Melvin came down with polio. He overcame this too.
Melvin was a machinist by trade. He worked for several companies during his life. There came a time when Melvin decided to start his own machine shop. When this chapter ended Melvin used the existing real estate and turned it into a business park, renting office and shop space, along with RV storage. To this very day his business still operates.
Melvin had many passions in life. In his early years he was an artist. Many will remember his art wall in his home with the many pictures he had done. Melvin later began writing songs and poetry. He hung them proudly in his music room for all to see.
Melvin was a doer, a project man. He loved to make plans, writing down things he wanted to accomplish daily. He never sat idle. He was a dreamer. He lived his life to be productive and he wanted it to have meaning.
Melvin served and volunteered his time in the community. He joined the Lions Club in Pearland. He worked with his dear friend Joycina Baker with the Friendswood Historical Society at the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum and barn. Melvin also spent time with the ROMEO’S in Friendswood- Retired Old Men Eating Out.
Melvin was a lifelong resident of Friendswood. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; Henry and Evelyn Tharp, his son Melvin Boyd Tharp, daughter Paula Deneen Birchler, daughter Lori Lee Smith. His siblings Billy Tharp, Betty Jo Sheldon, Wanda Tracy, Bobbie Hayes and Patsy Tharp.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Joann Tharp: son Glen Tharp and wife Jennifer, grandson Brandon Tharp; daughter Glenda Michelle Thomas and husband Bo Thomas, grandsons, Carlin and Kelan Cassedy; Grandchildren, Jori Calle and wife Liz, great grandsons Greyson and Gunner Calle; Grandson Jacob Calle; grandson Christopher Calle and wife Lindsay, Great granddaughter Lanie; Granddaughter Angie Baker; great granddaughters Loraly and Evelyn ( Evie) Baker; Granddaughter Jaime Taloff and husband Jeff, great grandchildren Haylee, Hayden, and Madison McDonald, and great great grandson Sylus Vann; Grandson Garrett Tharp and granddaughter Mya.
Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Friday October 11, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home 311 North Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas 77546 (281) 992-7200 with Father Thomas Vellappallil, M.S. officiating. Committal to follow immediately after service at Forest Park East Cemetery.
Reception following service and committal in the Foundry 3rd floor at The Harbor.
2 thoughts on “Melvin Roy Tharp”
Melvin was a kind gentleman. He would spend time talking to my late husband Gary Gibson at our barn when Gary would come there after dialysis. Gary really enjoyed his visits. Melvin will be missed by me and Romeos and Backporch Boys. May God be witb Joann and the Family.
I don’t know how to explain the sorrow I feel, having to sit here and write this a year and some odd days after your passing. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about when you used to sneak me to McDonald’s before school or take me riding in the trailer of the lawn mower because I had a bad day. You were my biggest supporter and defender but also the person who kept me on the right path. You made me believe in god when I was at my lowest but more importantly you made me believe in you, that you would always keep me safe. You stepped into a role that you shouldn’t have had to and became the father I needed and prayed for, never making me feel like I was tiresome or a burden. You taught me to keep my chin up and to ignore what other said because you always said that you knew my heart was beautiful. You taught me what love looked like, real, pure and true love. You showed me how I deserved to get treated by my partners and reminded me that no matter how anyone made me feel that you loved me and always would. I miss you more than my words could ever describe, I cry nightly for the fact my son, your great-great-grandson will never know your love, the warmth of your hugs, your laughs, your smiles, the way you made animal noises to cheer people up, that you won’t be able to buy him his first pair of boots when the time comes. I will make sure he knows what a kind, warm, intelligent, strong man you were. I gave him your middle name so he would always have a piece of you close to his heart the way I forever will. I love you my Pawpaw..
“To love someone oh so dearly, you can’t disclose just how you feel
A love so artificial yet seems so real.
Must remain to the last breath that is taken, the clock has run out of time.“ – She Can Never Be Mine by Melvin Roy Tharp