A talented trial lawyer and partner for many years at Taylor Porter Brooks and Phillips, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in Baton Rougeon Wednesday, March 28, 2007. John was born in New Iberiaon Aug. 9, 1941, to J. Roger and Frances Pharr Tharp. Ever proud of his Irish heritage, he was known to enjoy a round of golf and storytelling with his friends, to whom he was fiercely loyal. He adored his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth Thornton Tharp, and he loved and admired his sons, John Stewart Tharp, Walter Pharr Tharp and Graham Bramlette Harp, all of whom survive him. Other of John's survivors include Stewart's wife, Gina, and their daughter, Eliza Douglas Tharp; Walter's daughter, Frances Patricia Tharp; Graham's wife, Ashlee; and John's brother, Hunt Tharp, and his wife, Julie, and their daughter, Katie. An active member of Sigma Chi fraternity, John earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1963, and a juris doctor in 1967, from LSU. Following graduation from law school, he clerked for Judge Lenton Sartain at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal. In 1968, he joined Taylor Porter Brooks and Phillips, where he specialized in environmental, mass toxic tort, products liability and oil and gas well blow-out law until his retirement in December 2003. He became a Fellow of theAmericanCollegeof Trial Lawyers in 1995. Following retirement, John remained counsel to the firm, continuing to act as a mentor to young lawyers and enjoying the company of his law partners. He served as president of the Baton Rouge Country Club and on several community boards in Baton Rouge. John will be lovingly remembered for his extraordinary wit and exceedingly good companionship. Please join John's family at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., for visitation on Friday, March 30, was from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Roselawn Cemetery, 4045 North St., for a graveside service to commemorate John's life on Saturday, March 31, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA22038-1132, or to a charity of your choice.
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