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Note: OUT AMARGOSA WAY
by Eva Fishel, Gazette Amargosa Valley Community Reporter
Eldon Tharp, 76, of Amargosa Valley, passed away Tuesday July 7, 1992 despite concentrated efferts of the EMT's to save him. He was born September 19, 1916 in Cherokee, Oklahoma and he and his wife of almost 49 years, Violet, had resided in Amargosa valley for 12 years.
He was preceded in death by daughters, Linda and Kathleen and is survived by his wife Violet of Amargosa valley, son Gary of Pond Creek, Ok., brothers Leland, Paul, and Robert, all of Enid, Ok.; sister Ruth Runnels of San Antonio, Tx. and brother Finis of Amargosa, numerous nephews, one neice, and a host of friends.
Services were held Saturday July 11, 1992 at 11 a.m. at the Amargosa Community Church on Farm Road, conducted by Rev. Rick Jackson and a Chapel Memorial service conducted by VFW Post 6826 Senior Vice Commander Tom Dye and Chaplin David Boyd with Clarence Filter and Jim Fishel participating. A Pot Luck at the Community Center, hosted by the church ladies, was served following the services.
Eldon Tharp was raised in Oklahoma, in a musically-inclined family and won a 'fiddlin contest' at the age of 14 on an old fiddle an elderly gentleman had given him. It was one of Eldon's most prized possesions as long as he lived. Music was always one of his greatest loves. The electric guitar was his favorite, but could play the organ and piano as well.
Eldon was playing in a Vaudeville show in 1940 when he came to Sharon, Kansas, where he met Violet when she was 'sweet sixteen' and he was 22. He was so enchanted by her, that he talked the show into staying over another week, and gave Violet free passes the see the show for the entire week it was in town.
Afterward they kept in touch, but when the war came, Eldon enlisted Air Force in 1941. Whe he got leave, they met and exchanged their wedding vows December 5, 1943 in the Pastor's home in Dodge City, Kansas.
The Tharp had three children, son Gary, and daughters Linda and Kathleen, when they moved to Las Vegas. Eldon joined the Painters and Decorators Union and hung Vinyl wallpaper in most of the Las Vegas Hotels of that era. Then in the mid 60's, Eldon formed a musical group with his sister Jewel and older brother Paul, know as the "Paul Tharp Trio". They performed professionally in Denver, Colorado, starting each performance with their theme song "When You're Smiling ".
Eldon's life took on a new dimemsion when he he made his committment to the Lord in 1975, at the West Okey Baptist Church in Las Vegas, where he actively used his musical talents in the choir, and performed "specials" on the guitar.
Violet and Eldon decided to make their home in Amargosa Valley and purchased land in 1980.His love for the outdoors was evident by how he took 5 acres of his desert land and transformed it into a virtual oasis of greenery, and was alwas anxious to dig one more hole to plant a another tree!
His hobbies included pitching horseshoes, which he was very good at, having won quite a few contests. He also did construction work for some valley folks and was always involved in the community. He painted the Amargosa Community Church and Desert Senior Citizens Center inside and out, and washed quite a few dishes during his ten years as a volunteer at the Senior Center. Eldon's last day of his life was spent preparing his grapes to make raisons. Matt. 25:33, "His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter into the joy of thy Lord."
Eldon will be missed by loved ones and friends, but he will not be forgotten! "Rest in Peace, Eldon, you fought the good fight and kept the faith!".
Violet Tharp wishes to express her sincere gratitude to Amargosa's EMT's: Michele Rook, Shane Clark, Earline Settlemire, Linda Gilliland and Leffer Kyner for the way "they went that extra mile" trying to save Eldon's life. They are a very dedicated, caring, and wonderful group of people, volunteering their time unselfishly helping others. Also, many "thanks" to Earl Thomas and Butch Baker for all their support and help. We are fortunate to have people like you in our Valley and God bless you all!
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