Melvin Gene Tharp, 63, lifelong Hardesty, Oklahoma resident, passed away Thursday afternoon, July 28th, 2016 at his home in Hardesty.

The son of James Henry and Gladys Joy (Smart) Tharp, he was born July 15, 1953 in Guymon, Oklahoma. Melvin attended school at Hardesty, graduating with the Class of 1971.

Mr. Tharp owned a dairy business, was engaged in farming and operated the convenience store in Bryan's Corner for several years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by parents, and two brothers, Don and Gerald Tharp.

Survivors include one son, Levi McMellian of Dallas, Texas, two step-daughters, Shelly Steele of Ponder, Texas and Tammy Lasley of Borger, Texas, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Survivors also include two sisters, Joy Briggs and husband, Ronald of Ulysses, Kansas and Dixie Tharp of Amarillo, Texas, three brothers, James E. Tharp and wife, Kay of Piedmont, Oklahoma, Darell Tharp of Hardesty and Marvin Tharp and wife, Diana also of Hardesty, two sister-in-laws, JoAnn Tharp of Hardesty and Barbara Tharp of Santa Paula, California, and special friend, Javier Moreno of Turpin, Oklahoma.

Graveside funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon, August 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hartville Cemetery located SE of Hardesty, Oklahoma with Rev. Jack Cornell of Spearman, Texas officiating. Services are under the care of the Bunch – Roberts Funeral Home of Guymon.

The Tharp family request memorials be given to the Hartville Cemetery fund. Memorials will be accepted at the Bunch – Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, Oklahoma 73942.

Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.