Kevin Tharp

Kevin Dwayne Tharp was born on July 8, 1963. He was a beloved husband, dad, and Papa who loved his family, church, and country. Kevin left this world to join his Heavenly Father on January 17, 2024. Kevin was raised in Nowata County. He graduated from Delaware High School in 1981, from there he went to work at Funk Manufacturing in Coffeyville, Kansas. Kevin spent his career primarily as a machinist working for and retiring from John Deere. While he was never a fan of the “green tractor” his tune changed at the age of 50 when he retired and as he put it, “They aren’t so bad now, they pay me to stay home”. Kevin spent the last 16 years with the love of his life Beckey (Russell). They made their home in Childers, Oklahoma. Together they traveled the country from coast to coast on many trips on Amtrack, road trips to New England, Niagara Falls, and New Mexico, along with a cruise to Alaska. They were two peas in a pod. They enjoyed many hobbies together such as gardening, off roading in their jeeps and spending time with their grandchildren. Most recently Kevin had taken up quilting, a hobby that his mother Helen has passed along through the generations. Kevin’s quilts were true works of art. He made many beautiful quilts for friends and family. He especially enjoyed making Patriotic quilts, which he anonymously donated to many veterans. Many might remember Kevin from his Paraplane flying around Nowata County (the flying go cart with a parachute), or the bright green snowmobile on the rare snowstorm in Delaware, the dune buggies, three wheelers, or trail riding with Johnny Ridenhour in his Jeep. You might have heard about the many projects he worked on with his brother Steve, it seemed they were always building something at one of their houses, or working on one of their daughters' cars. Thank goodness they both acquired great son-in-laws to take over some of that burden. While the past few years had dealt Kevin many health struggles his faith in the Lord remained steadfast. In his final years he sought comfort and understanding through scripture. Kevin is survived by his wife Beckey, his daughters, Kimberly (Jeffrey) Stewart, Amanda (Amir) Almusawi, and Cassie (Justin) Jones. He is also survived by his mother Helen Tharp, brother Steve (Connie) Tharp, sister-in-law Barbie (Bob) Hicks and mother-in law Betty Russell. Grandchildren, Zane, Zena, and Lila Almusawi and Jayli Jones, nieces, Christy (Kurt) Bashford and Pam (Scott) Pruett. Kevin also leaves behind many great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and his church family. Kevin is predeceased by his father Clifford “Ross” Tharp, sister-in-law Sandy Tharp and daughter Amber Alspach and father-in-law Bradley Russell. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Services will be held Sunday, January 28th ; 3PM at Nowata First Church of God, 408 S. Pine Street, Nowata, OK.

Kevin Tharp

July 8, 1963 - January 17, 2024