R. Douglas Tharpe

Son of Elmer James Tharpe and Florence Hill Tharpe. Military: United States Army. Married: 23 Dec 1958 Joy Lavonne Stanford, who preceded him in death 10 Dec 2008. ∼ Source KLMJ Hampton: Visitation will be Tuesday, April 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Dumont. Funeral service for 83-year-old Rev. R. Douglas Tharpe of Dumont will be Wednesday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the New Hope Parish of the United Methodist Church-Dumont Center. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery Cherokee. --------------------------------------- Rev. R. Douglas Tharpe, 83, of Dumont, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Rehabilitation Center of Allison. He was born in Hubbard, Iowa, on September 7, 1935, the son of Elmer James Tharpe and Florence (Hill) Tharpe. Doug graduated from Cherokee High School, then attended the University of North Dakota at Vermillion, majoring in Radio Communication and Technology. After college graduation, he served in the U.S. Army, primarily in Alaska. On December 23, 1958, Doug married the love of his life, Joy Lavonne (Stanford) Tharpe, who preceded him in death on December 10, 2008. They raised four daughters. He had a colorful career in radio, mainly as an on-air personality. Doug worked for numerous radio stations in Iowa. He received God's call to serve as a minister of the United Methodist Church and attended seminary at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary from 1976 to 1979, achieving a Masters of Divinity. Doug began his ministry in the United Methodist Church in 1979 and served many charges across Iowa. From the airwaves to the pulpit, he touched many people and will be remembered as a great communicator. Doug took pride in his many years of service to numerous ambulance services and the communities they served. Doug was preceded in death by this wife Joy, his parents, and his, brother Donald Tharpe. He is survived by his siblings Denny Tharpe, Patti (Lyle) Hinspeter, Linda (Grant) Geister; his children, Karil (Randy) Carr of Bryant, Iowa; Kelly (Tom) Oppelt of Arizona; Karla (Terry) Shea of Waverly, Iowa; and Krista Wilson of Dumont, Iowa; ten grandchildren - Tiffany (Shea) Ahrens, Jennifer Oppelt, Jason Carr, Jamie Carr, Stephanie (Johnny) Wright, John Shea, Carrie Shea, Samantha Wilson, Alexander Wilson and Noelle Wilson; and one great-grandson Avery Harris-Carr, along with many nieces and nephews. Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Homed 902 West Broadway St. Dumont, IA 50625