Forrest Gary Tharp

Gary attended Jefferson Davis Elementary School and went on to graduate from Southeast High School in 1962. After high school, Gary received his associate degree in general business from Oscar Rose College, now known as Rose State University.

He married the love of his life, Linda, on July 27, 1962 and recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They shared many memorable times, travels and love during these special years.

After graduation Gary began work for a machine shop where he was an assistant to the machinist.

He was drafted in September 1966 in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. He remained there until he received orders to go to Vietnam in August 1967. He served one tour of duty in Vietnam in the 1st Battalion, 69th Armor as a Scout and received an honorable discharge in September 1968.

After returning home from Vietnam, he began work at Tinker Air Force Base where he remained for 30 years until retiring on December 31, 1998.

Gary was involved in Cub Scouts with his son, Joey. He was a Scout Master for Last Frontier Pack 113 and then a Webelo leader.

In 1979, Gary was ordained as a deacon at Del View Baptist Church and was a very active member at the church. Most recently, he was a member of Sunny Lane Southern Baptist Church.

For more than 20 years, Gary refereed little league, junior high and high school football. He loved this part-time job, especially the little guys just starting out at 4 and 5 years old. Long after he quit this job, he was still recognized by the young men he refereed at these games. They would commonly yell out “Hey, ref” when seeing him again.

Following his retirement from Tinker, Gary also worked with his daughter, Jennifer, at Family Medical Supply as their equipment delivery driver.

After leaving Family Medical Supply, Gary was a co-caretaker to his mother-in-law and father-in-law until they passed.

One thing Gary was proud of was his grandchildren. He was a caregiver for each of them at one time or another during their lives. But his most challenging role was that of caring for his twin grandsons, Brent and Dillon from the time they were 6 weeks old until 12 years old. He would take them for walks around the neighborhood in a double stroller where he would proudly show them off to the neighbors.

Gary lived a wonderful life and left a lifetime of memories for his family.

Preceded in death by:

Parents – Forrest and Beatrice Tharp

In-Laws – Joe and Zula Long

Nephew – Darren Tharp

Survived by:

Wife - Linda Tharp of Del City

Son - Joey Tharp and wife, Laschele of Edmond

Daughter - Jennifer Dreiske and husband, Sean of Oklahoma City

Grandchildren – Austen Dreiske, Shae Newton and husband, Myles, Mackenzie Tharp, Kaitlin Dreiske, Brent Tharp and Dillon Tharp

Great Grandchildren – MJ and Mya Newton

Brother – Larry Tharp of Del City