Gerald George Tharp

Gerald George Tharp of Austin, 82, died at home Thurs. March 20, 2014 of cancer. Born to Merle Gerald and Hazel (Baxter) Tharp Nov. 8, 1931 in Winfield, KS, Gerry dreamed of flight as a boy. His family moved to Galveston in WWII for Hazel's health, and M.G. worked defense construction during the war. At 16 Gerry graduated Ball High. He attended A&M one year, then TCU where he played football, earned Top ROTC Cadet honors, and met his one true love Gayle Mantor on a blind date Thanksgiving Night 1951. Gayle said it was love at first sight of the 6'6" guy she saw thru the half-moon window of her front door.

After graduating TCU '54 (B.A. Comm. Art) Gerry, a gifted artist like Hazel, won prizes and briefly tried an art career in NYC. Commissioned in the USAF, he took basic at Lackland AFB, flight training at Ellington AFB, then married Gayle Sept. 24, 1955 in Ft. Worth. In 1957's Int. Geophysical Year/Oper. Deep Freeze Gerry was navigator on C-124s taking cargo from Christchurch, NZ to McMurdo, Antarctica, and (as seen in National Geographic) dropped supplies and a US flag with candy-striped pole he and others signed on the South Pole to build Byrd's Little America. Gerry discovered and charted Mt. Bearskin, named for his pilot Chief Leland Bearskin, a Wyandotte Indian from OK.

Gerry flew to Panama, Fiji, Australia, Azores, Morocco, Germany, Greenland, Turkey, Madrid, and Rome and Paris where he saw great works of art. In June '58 after son Richard was born in Greenville, SC, Gerry flew to Cyprus on alert during the Lebanon Crisis. He left active duty a captain, joined Reserves, moved to Ft. Worth and helped engineer General Dynamics' B-58 and F-111. Daughter Angela was born June '61. His C-119 Reserve unit was on high alert Oct. 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Gerry earned an MBA '63 at TCU and moved to Austin Aug. 1966. He continued defense work at Tracor, did grad work at UT, worked for Comptroller's and Governor's Offices as a systems analyst and consulted. A Realtor since 1981, he later partnered with Angela. He was a good businessman.

Gerry was a Christian who lived his faith with family and friends and in his business dealings. He treated clients honestly and fairly. His word was his bond. A member of St. David's Episcopal Church since '67, Gerry served as Sunday School superintendent, vestryman and usher. A gifted storyteller with a great sense of humor, he loved puns. Overcoming dyslexia to be an inspired writer, he prized education and encouraged his kids to excel. He was a reader, a student of writing and a painter. A man of boundless energy and enthusiasm, he worked past 80. He was a lifelong athlete, a runner 'til 70, then a walker. He loved scuba diving, hunting, fishing and camping in God's Great Outdoors. He taught his kids to love diving. Together they dove Hawaii, Cozumel, Flower Gardens, San Marcos and Lake Travis.

Gerry's 18 month lung cancer battle typified his strength and courage. A 55 year non-smoker, he faced grim diagnosis with science, resolve and faith, trying varied treatments. He wrote and recorded his memoirs. Gerry loved time with the light of his life grandson Austin Tharp and Tuesday awarded Austin his Webelos badge in a special ceremony at home. Survivors include wife Gayle; son Rich, his wife and son Kendra and Austin; daughter Angela Tharp and partner Moe Monsarrat; many cousins and friends. Like the pilot author of High Flight, Gerry has reached out his hand and touched the face of God.

Funeral service 11 a.m. Mon. March 24 at St. David's Episcopal Church; 7th at San Jacinto in Austin. Burial 2 p.m. Wed. March 26 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. David's Episcopal Church Foundation or charity of your choice.