Mark Wayne Tharp

Mark Wayne Tharp, 57, of Madison County, Virginia, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle, passed away on October 8, 2017 at the UVa Medical Center surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer.

Mark is survived by Karen Tharp, his wife of 31 years, his children, Amanda T. Sweid and Brandon W. Tharp and their spouses, Daniel Sweid and Andrea Tharp (Mark’s “other daughter”), his beloved granddaughters, Emerson June Sweid and Oakley Raine Tharp, his mother and step-father, Betty Bowen and Maxwell Bowen, his sisters Debbie Tharp and Mary Elizabeth Bowen-Wingrave, and his nieces and nephew. He was preceded in death by his father, John Emerson Tharp.

Mark was born on August 25, 1960 in Culpeper, Virginia, to John Tharp and Betty Tharp. He and Karen were married in 1986 in Warrenton, Virginia. He enjoyed a thirty-year career in law enforcement and was honored to protect and serve the public. He loved the mountains, fishing, car shows, woodworking, drawing, movies and his Minnesota Vikings, but his greatest love in life was his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Hope Cancer Center for their kindness, dedication and caring during Mark’s treatment.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Clore-English Funeral Home with the family receiving friends and family from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with a service to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Concerns of Police Survivors (“COPS”), at www.nationalcops.org or mailed to P. O. Box 3199, Candenton, MO 65020.

Condolences may be offered at clore-english.com. Clore-English Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.