Charles Ralph Tharp
Published in the Cincinnati Newspaper
Charles R. Tharp, 92, of Dayton and Fort Thomas, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. He was a proud WWII Veteran in the Navy Seabees, swing era dance band musician, and long time Dayton real estate and insurance businessman. He had a special love for his hometown of Dayton, Kentucky and was recognized as city historian and founder of the Dayton Heritage Museum, sharing his stories with many groups. He was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Music Legends Hall of Fame. He was a charter/long-time member of Highland Hills Baptist Church in Ft. Thomas, where he served 10 years as choir director, and recently returned to his childhood church at First Baptist of Dayton.
He also led worship at Baptist Convalescent Center for many decades. He loved to make stained glass and gifted his angels to hundreds. More than any of that, he loved his family and friends fiercely, and we all were blessed to call him our dad, pops, and Papa. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Edith Williams Tharp. He is survived by his daughter Cyndy (Dan) Jones of Ft. Thomas, KY and son Tim (Vonnie) Tharp of Knoxville, TN; sister Gayla (Neil) Lewis of Arlington, TX; grandchildren Jennifer (Nathan) Smith, Jessica (Jason) Canterbury, Julie Turner, Erin Tharp, Kyle Tharp, Ross Tharp, Natalie (JAT) Mountjoy and Daniel (Michelle) Jones and 9 great grandchildren. He was also survived by brother-in-law Robert Williams and sister-in-law Charlene Williams and many loved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 15, from 1 PM to 3 PM at the First Baptist Church of Dayton, Ky (501 Dayton Ave.) with a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 3 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Dayton Heritage Museum, 718 Sixth Avenue, Dayton, Ky 41074 or to the First Baptist Church of Dayton, 501 Dayton Ave., Dayton, Ky 41074. The Dobbling, Muehlenkamp & Erschell Funeral Home is serving the Family.