Stanley O. Tharp

Stanley Orlif Tharp, Jr.

Pocatello- Stanley O. Tharp, Jr. 87, passed away on May 12, 2009 at Hillcrest Haven Care Center where he had resided for several years.

Stanley was born in Soda Springs, Idaho on August 24, 1921, the son of Stanley O. and Lyda Blackburn Tharp, both from Florence Kansas.

Stanley attended high school at Soda Springs High where he lettered in sports for four years and began working at the Union Pacific Railroad while still in high school. In his junior year of high school, he trained as an army officer at Fort Douglas Utah, but later decided that the Army was not his calling. After finishing high school, Stanley attended Boise Junior College where he was a member of the track team. Stanley lived with his sister Lucille while going to school in Boise. He had a big heart as a young man, and frequently took his young niece, Marcia to Soda Springs on the train with him so she could visit her grandparents. Marcia was only 18 months old at the time. When Stanley's father became ill, he left college and returned home to help his family.

In 1942, Stanley married Dorothy Hoff and they had two children, Madylon Lambert and Ronnie Leonard. Stanley also adopted Dorothy's son Wally Hoff. In 1944, Stanley joined the United States Navy where he immediately began training at the University of Idaho. While in the U.S. Navy, Stanley was on the rowing team and served most of his time in the South Pacific fighting World War II. Stanley was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1945 at which time he returned to work at the Union Pacific Railroad. Stanley and Dorothy's marriage ended shortly after the war.

In 1952, Stanley married Jeanne Shannon and over the years they were blessed with four children; Shannon Tharp, Sharon Stutzman, Karen Tharp and Stanley J. Tharp. That marriage ended after many years. Stanley continued to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and retired after forty-four years of service. Stanley loved to hunt, fish and race horses and was a member of the Elks Lodge #674 for thirty-one years. His real passion was taking care of his horses at his small ranch in Inkom.

In 1980, Stanley married his loving wife Arlette Westfall. Following retirement from the railroad, Stanley remained active on his ranch in Inkom until his was admitted to Hillcrest Haven Care Center.

Stanley will be remembered for his integrity, generosity, smile and sense of humor. Preceding Stanley in death were his mother and father, his sister Gaila Muslin and his stepson Chris Westfall. Stanley is survived by his loving wife, Arlette, his children, Wally Hoff, Madylon Lambert, Ronnie Leonard, Shannon Tharp, Sharon Stutzman, Karen Tharp, Stanley J. Tharp and stepson Doug Westfall. Stanley is also survived by his sister Lucille Woodall, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Fairview Cemetery, Soda Springs, Idaho at 4:00 p.m. with Father Gabriel Vargas officiating. Military graveside rites will be provided by the American Legion Post #62 with Robert Anderson, commander.

The family will recieve friends on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. Pocatello. Funeral arrangments are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel.