This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

                                                                                



                                                                  H.R. No. 1615



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, With the passing of Donald R. Tharp of Bedford on 
April 2, 2005, at the age of 65, North Texans have lost a valued 
friend and decorated veteran whose extensive knowledge of local 
history benefited countless people through his membership on the 
Euless Historical Preservation Committee and as a docent at 
Irving's Heritage Park; and
	WHEREAS, The Tyler native was born on January 6, 1940, to Paul 
Porter Tharp and Ethel Thompson Tharp, grew up in Fort Worth with a 
younger brother, Paul, and graduated from Polytechnic High School, 
with advanced standing, at the age of 16; and
	WHEREAS, An exemplary scholar, Mr. Tharp earned a bachelor's 
degree in physics and a master's degree in accounting from The 
University of Texas at Arlington, then pursued graduate studies in 
science and math at Southern Methodist University; he was also a 
gifted musician and graphic artist who for a time earned his living 
as a commercial artist; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Tharp joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1957, 
attaining the rank of lieutenant, and went on active duty in 1963 
during the Vietnam War; he spent the majority of his tenure with the 
Military Air Transport Services, a global military air carrier, 
earning medals and commendations for his role as his squadron's 
navigator; and
	WHEREAS, After leaving the military in 1967, he was employed 
as a broker and marketing executive before joining the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development where he was a 
community planning developer for 20 years; for the past 11 years, he 
worked as an accountant with a national tax service company; and
	WHEREAS, This former Naval officer devoted much time to 
veterans groups, including the American Legion and the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, and he was past vice commander of the Metroplex 
Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars; and
	WHEREAS, An individual of deep faith who attended Bible 
classes at Bellevue Baptist Church in Hurst, he was a bibliophile 
with a thirst for learning; further, he collected firearms, held a 
Class III dealer's license, and was regarded as a highly 
knowledgeable firearms consultant; and
	WHEREAS, Don Tharp gave generously of himself to his fellow 
Texans and his countrymen through his military service and his many 
hours of volunteer work, and his memory will live on in the hearts 
of all who were touched by the warmth of his friendship; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Donald R. 
Tharp and extend sincere sympathy to his brother, Paul Tharp, and to 
all who mourn the passing of this remarkable gentleman; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Donald R. 
Tharp.

                                                                Smith of Tarrant


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1615 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 25, 2005.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House