F. W. Tharp

F.W. Tharp age 82 of Floral died Monday August 13, 2007 at the White River Medical Center in Batesville. He was born August 8, 1925 at Hickory Flat, AR to Walter and Mary Ellen (Reaper) Tharp. He lived nearly his entire life in Floral and left a lasting impact on the small community. He will always be remembered as a big man with an even bigger voice (Especially to his grandchildren who sometimes dared to sit in his chair or touch his beloved cowboy hat). This gruff exterior masked a man with a heart of gold. F. W. Tharp was a successful businessman having been one of the pioneers of the poultry business in the Independence County area. He went on to start Tharp Pallet with his son. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII having achieved the rank of 1st Sgt., a Mason, a member of the Floral School Board for 15 years and of the Baptist faith.He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Doris Martin and Dagmar Tharp and one grandson, Andy Payne.Survivors include his wife Bobbie Tharp of the home, three sons, Keith Tharp, Mike Tharp and Freddie Tharp all of Floral, one daughter, Cathy Payne of Batesville, three brothers, Vernon Tharp and Douglas Tharp both of Hickory Flat and V.O. Tharp of Concord, three sisters, Alton Stone of Dallas, Texas, Jo Ann Lewallen of Forrest City and Linda Howard of Columbia, MS, twelve grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.Funeral services will begin Wednesday August 15, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Floral Bapitst Church located at Floral with Bro. Richard Roberts and Bro. Joe Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery located near Floral with arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service of Batesville.Visitation will begin Tuesday August 14, 2007 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.mPallbearers will be grandsons, Chris Tharp, Jonathan Payne, Nathan Tharp, Brayden Tharp, Bryson Tharp and Derek Tharp.Honorary pallbearers are Keagan Tharp, Colton Tharp, Payne Moser, Colby Cooper, Presley Payne and Casen Manry.