About This Memory Space
This page was created for Donald John Tharp's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Donald John Tharp's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Donald John Tharp. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Donald John Tharp built an extraordinary life of bold ventures and unyielding drive, transforming overlooked opportunities into thriving enterprises while nurturing passions that spanned business, golf courses worldwide, and gleaming classic cars.
Born in Greencastle, Indiana, to John Donald Tharp and Bessie E. Reynolds, Don emerged as a natural force from his early days. A standout at Greencastle High School, he honed his skills at Indiana Business College before diving into the world of sales as a teen, topping state records by peddling $50-75k worth of World's Finest Chocolate monthly to schools, churches, and businesses. His knack for spotting potential in the improbable defined him—he'd scoop up neglected land, hold it patiently for decades, and turn it into gold when the moment arrived. Fearless and forthright, Don thrived on challenges, often quipping that limitations existed only for those who believed in them. An outgoing mentor with endless insights, he forged lasting bonds, sharing wisdom that propelled others forward.
Don's entrepreneurial fire ignited in 1974 when he and Marsha acquired a Dairy Queen Brazier on 38th Street and Post Road, running it successfully for 25 years amid his expanding real estate pursuits. As President and Founder of Tharp Investments Inc. and Tharp Realty Group, he scaled from one property to two million square feet over 45 years, earning accolades as a preferred developer for CVS Pharmacy, Jiffy Lube, Advance Auto, Burger King, CSL Plasma, Checker's/Rally's, Dollar Tree/Family Dollar, and Starbucks. He also owned two top-performing Rally's franchises, including Indiana's number one location, proving his mastery in turning risks into triumphs even through personal health trials.
Photos of Donald's Life
Family & Loved Ones
Cherished moments with Marsha, whom he met in the 1960s and married in 1965, formed the foundation of Don's personal world, welcoming their son Ronald 'Shane' Tharp and daughter Shannon Lee Tharp, whose lives blossomed into the next generation with granddaughters Lillian 'Lilli' Lee Tharp and Skylar Shae Tharp. His warmth extended to a devoted work family—Elaine Farhood, Janet 'JC' Case, William 'Billy' Niemier, Matthew 'Matty' Tews—alongside close companion friends Judy J. Swift and Lisa McIntosh, all bonded by his generous spirit and readiness to guide with honest counsel. Predeceased by Marsha Jo 'Douglas' Tharp and his parents, Don's circle reflected a man who invested as deeply in people as he did in property.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from across Don's wide-reaching network echo his reputation as a daring visionary whose infectious energy and sage advice left indelible marks on colleagues, friends, and family alike.
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