Donald Lavern Tharp, East Moline, passed away at home on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded and there will be no services. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Contented Canines, Moline.

Don was born on February 13, 1941 in Galt, MO to Benford and Lorraine Tharp. He graduated from Trenton High School, Trenton, Mo and attended Trenton Junior College before enlisting in the Air Force in 1962. After Tech School training, he served on a 4 man Titan II underground missile crew in Tucson, AZ. There he met and later married Barbara Barnes. When his service in the Air Force was up in 1966, he and Barb moved to the Quad Cities. Don worked at John Deere Harvester for 30 years, retiring in 1996. Among the many hobbies he enjoyed were fishing, camping, boating, restoring old cars and antique car shows.

Don is survived by his wife, son Terry (Wynne), Iowa City, sister Phylliss Peery, Gilman City, MO, brother Randy Tharp, MO, brother -in-law Bill Barnes (Haline), Toronto, sister-in-law Marylee Mathis (Dalton), Tucson, and niece Tiffany Spurgetis (Tim and family), East Moline, as well as several other wonderful nieces and nephews in MO, AZ, and Toronto. Don also thought of Tori Petre, East Moline and Jon Sandoval, Silvis as niece and nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Phil Tharp, sister-in-law Merylann Pierri, and brother-in-law Tommy Peery.

Don's family would like to thank Dr. Michael Porubcin, the excellent chemotherapy nurses at Genesis, Silvis and the very caring staff at Genesis Hospice.

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