John Tharpe

John Sykes Tharpe, 72, of Statesville and Florida, passed away Tuesday, July 09, 2013 at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte following a brief illness. He was born July 15, 1940 in Statesville and was the son of the late Otto Tharpe and Clara Sykes Tharpe. Mr. Tharpe was a graduate of Statesville High School, attended High Point University and graduated from Clemson University with a BS degree. He was the founder and CEO of The Tharpe Company and was currently serving as Chairman of the Board of the TharpeRobbins Company. John was a former member of Broad Street United Methodist Church, was an Eagle Scout and was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Club 18 golfing group and also was a long time member of the Mashters golfing group. He was honored by the City of Statesville with a key to the city in recognition of his founding the Tharpe Company and its success to our community. In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by son, John Sykes Tharpe, Jr., in 2005. On March 28, 1987 he was married to Ann Hipple Tharpe, who survives. He is further survived by two daughters, Kristin Ann Tharpe, of Charlotte and Jessica Tharpe Dyer (Michael), of Richmond, VA, a brother, O. David Tharpe (Barbara) of Statesville, two grandsons, Jackson William Dyer and Barrett John Dyer, of Richmond, Virginia; two nephews, Dirk Tharpe (Nancy) and their children, Barr and Mary Neil Tharpe; Brett Tharpe (Susan) and their children, Gilliam, Reagan and Beckham Tharpe. Funeral services will be conducted 10:30 AM Friday, July 12, 2013 at Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Michael Gehring officiating. A private family interment service will be at Oakwood Cemetery prior to the funeral service. Serving as active pallbearers will be, Dirk Tharpe, Brett Tharpe, J.R. Hipple, Keith Hipple, Michael Dyer, Charles Feimster, Floyd Davis and Wallace Riddle. The family will visit with friends on Thursday evening 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Piedmont Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 1222 East Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28053 or to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the Broad Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 169, Statesville, NC 28687. Online condolences may be made to the family at nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.