Obituary for Samuel Quincy Tharpe
Samuel Quincy Tharpe, age 92 years of Pylesville, MD died at his home at 4:26 am on Thursday, November 21, 2019. He was the husband of the late Mary Louise (Wilson) Tharpe and at the time of her death in 2001 they had been married for 44 years.
Sam was born in Ronda, North Carolina on May 21, 1927 a son of the late William Freeland and Bretta Mae (Poplin) Tharpe.
He came to Harford County, MD, from Wilkes County, NC, as a teenager to work on his grandfather's farm. Before completing his formal schooling, he joined the Navy and served his country from 1947 - 1951. Upon his return to Harford County, he graduated from the Maryland State Police Academy in 1956. In 1963 he was awarded the Maryland State Police Alumni Association Trooper of the Year award. In June 1978, he retired after 26 years of service with the rank of Sergeant stationed at Bel Air Barrack “D.” Upon his retirement from the Maryland State Police he began a second career with the Philadelphia Electric Company. He was hired as the first Security Supervisor at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Plant, 20 minutes from his home, in near-by Delta, Pennsylvania. During his 11 year tenure at Peach Bottom he formed the first security team and was responsible for writing many policies and procedures for the newly formed department.
Sam became active in his community as a young man and served as the leader of a local 4-H club. He was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Street, MD for over 60 years where he faithfully worshipped and, through his discipleship, served as elder, deacon and president of the trustees. He and his wife Mary Louise were instrumental in the restoration of the sanctuary and stained glass windows at Highland.
He was an active member of Esdraelon Lodge #176, A.F.&A.M, Cardiff, MD for over 50 years. Sam is a past president of the Mason-Dixon Lions Club and served on the board of the former Southern States Cooperative in Cardiff, MD.
Sam was always a farmer at heart and until recently still pitched in at his son Wilson's farm when needed. He was known for his beautiful flowers, notably the tulips and daffodils in the spring and the gladiolas in the summer.
Sam was named a Harford County Living Treasure in 2017.
He is survived by three children:
G. Wilson Tharpe (Claudia) of Street, MD
Samuel Quincy Tharpe, Jr. of Towson, MD
Nancy Jane Long (Robert) of Charleston, WV
He is also survived by four granddaughters, Zoe, Rachel, Elizabeth and Maggie Long all of Charleston, WV.
Three sisters:
Nancy Guiton of Greensboro, NC
Bretta Mae Hays of N. Wilkesboro, NC
Helen M. Porter of Ronda, NC
Two brothers:
Sheridan Dean Tharpe of Wilkesboro, NC
Felix H. Tharpe of Mt. Airy, NC
He was preceded in death by his siblings: Lorraine, David, Margaret and Loton.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 25 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Highland Presbyterian Church, 701 Highland Rd., Street, MD 21154
Funeral services will be held at the church on Tuesday, November 26 at 11 am with his pastor, Reverend Raymond R. Meute, Jr. and Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Dr. William J. Netting officiating.
Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery with U.S. Navy and Maryland State Police Honor Guards.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the church at the above address.
Active pallbearers are: Jim Rinehart, Glenn Gitschier, Robert W. Pruitt, John Estep, Jerry Skrzypiec and Nathan D. Wilson
Honorary bearers are: James H. Archer, Jr., James D. Lewis, Edwin Kuechler, Samuel J. Hensler, George W. Hensler, IV, Marlin L. Mills, Todd Holden, Robert Carlin, Bill Schilling and Jerry M. Scarborough.
Sam was born in Ronda, North Carolina on May 21, 1927 a son of the late William Freeland and Bretta Mae (Poplin) Tharpe.
He came to Harford County, MD, from Wilkes County, NC, as a teenager to work on his grandfather's farm. Before completing his formal schooling, he joined the Navy and served his country from 1947 - 1951. Upon his return to Harford County, he graduated from the Maryland State Police Academy in 1956. In 1963 he was awarded the Maryland State Police Alumni Association Trooper of the Year award. In June 1978, he retired after 26 years of service with the rank of Sergeant stationed at Bel Air Barrack “D.” Upon his retirement from the Maryland State Police he began a second career with the Philadelphia Electric Company. He was hired as the first Security Supervisor at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Plant, 20 minutes from his home, in near-by Delta, Pennsylvania. During his 11 year tenure at Peach Bottom he formed the first security team and was responsible for writing many policies and procedures for the newly formed department.
Sam became active in his community as a young man and served as the leader of a local 4-H club. He was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Street, MD for over 60 years where he faithfully worshipped and, through his discipleship, served as elder, deacon and president of the trustees. He and his wife Mary Louise were instrumental in the restoration of the sanctuary and stained glass windows at Highland.
He was an active member of Esdraelon Lodge #176, A.F.&A.M, Cardiff, MD for over 50 years. Sam is a past president of the Mason-Dixon Lions Club and served on the board of the former Southern States Cooperative in Cardiff, MD.
Sam was always a farmer at heart and until recently still pitched in at his son Wilson's farm when needed. He was known for his beautiful flowers, notably the tulips and daffodils in the spring and the gladiolas in the summer.
Sam was named a Harford County Living Treasure in 2017.
He is survived by three children:
G. Wilson Tharpe (Claudia) of Street, MD
Samuel Quincy Tharpe, Jr. of Towson, MD
Nancy Jane Long (Robert) of Charleston, WV
He is also survived by four granddaughters, Zoe, Rachel, Elizabeth and Maggie Long all of Charleston, WV.
Three sisters:
Nancy Guiton of Greensboro, NC
Bretta Mae Hays of N. Wilkesboro, NC
Helen M. Porter of Ronda, NC
Two brothers:
Sheridan Dean Tharpe of Wilkesboro, NC
Felix H. Tharpe of Mt. Airy, NC
He was preceded in death by his siblings: Lorraine, David, Margaret and Loton.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 25 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Highland Presbyterian Church, 701 Highland Rd., Street, MD 21154
Funeral services will be held at the church on Tuesday, November 26 at 11 am with his pastor, Reverend Raymond R. Meute, Jr. and Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Dr. William J. Netting officiating.
Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery with U.S. Navy and Maryland State Police Honor Guards.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the church at the above address.
Active pallbearers are: Jim Rinehart, Glenn Gitschier, Robert W. Pruitt, John Estep, Jerry Skrzypiec and Nathan D. Wilson
Honorary bearers are: James H. Archer, Jr., James D. Lewis, Edwin Kuechler, Samuel J. Hensler, George W. Hensler, IV, Marlin L. Mills, Todd Holden, Robert Carlin, Bill Schilling and Jerry M. Scarborough.