Ralph O'Donald Thorpe

Master SGT in the United States Marine Corps 1942-46, serving in WWII in 3rd Marine Div., 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion in Samoa, Guam, Guadalcanal and Bougenville. Resided in Henderson, KY 1953-1963 and Dallas, TX 1963-2015.

Mr. Thorpe was a manufacturers’ furniture rep and member of Southwest Roadrunners. He married the love of his life, fellow Marine, Jean Topnick of Mahwah, N. J. on January 12, 1946 in Parris Island, S.C.

Preceded in death by wife Jean of 57 years; brother James “J.T.” Thorpe and great-grandson David Bushey, Jr. Survived by daughters Carol Seward (Lew) Elgin, TX, and Cathy Howe (Billy) Richmond, VA, and sons Charles “Rick” Thorpe, Dallas, TX and Don Thorpe(Mary Jane), Carrollton, TX. Also survived by sisters, Jeanette Young, Owensboro, KY and Kathleen Walters, Dale, IN; five grandsons, three granddaughters and six great-granddaughters.

Mr. Thorpe was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church since 1963. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Fund in c/o www.svdpusa.org.

Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of St. Pius X Catholic Church with Fr. Guadagnoli the Celebrant. Interment will take place immediately following the service at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Rowlett, TX.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.