Casper Frederick Tharp

Casper Frederick Tharp, 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024, in Alexandria, VA.

Casper was born on April 15, 1932, in Danville, PA. He grew up in Shamokin, PA and is the son of the late Frederick Daniel Tharp and Mina Evelyn (Miller) Tharp. He was the oldest of five siblings. Casper “Cappy” worked at the family business Tharp’s Ice Cream and liked to make popsicles. He joined the Army during his senior year at Shamokin High School. After graduating in 1950, Casper was sent to Korea and Japan during the Korean War. He earned a Korean War Service Medal with five bronze stars and a United Nations Service Medal.

In 1953, he returned home to Shamokin and worked various jobs (selling insurance, mail handler, check processor) until he re-enlisted in the Army in 1958 and earned a sharpshooter badge. He was sent to Monterey, CA to learn the Korean language before going to Korea again. In 1961, he met and married his wife, Young, in Korea. In 1965, Casper, Young, and their two daughters were stationed at Ft. Belvoir and settled in Alexandria, VA. Casper left the Army in 1966 and joined the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as a mailman (Jefferson Manor and Belle View branches). He also worked at other jobs (McDonald’s, Fuller Brush salesman, taxicab driver, Safeway, Kenner toys salesman) to help supplement his income and support his family.

In the 1970’s, Casper and Young helped bring Young’s parents and her 8 siblings to the US from Korea. Casper was active with his two daughters and with the community. He was PTA president, Civic Association president, basketball coach, Calvary Presbyterian Church youth activities helper, Girls Scout volunteer, USPS union representative, and many more volunteer positions throughout his life. Casper loved to travel with his family. They made many camping trips to Knoebels Amusement Park and trips to various parts of the US and Canada.

After retiring from the USPS in 1987, he worked as a gas station attendant and a school bus driver until he fully retired in 1993. In 1997, he survived a stroke after having major heart surgery. He recovered in time to see the marriage of his youngest daughter in 1998. After the birth of his two grandchildren, Casper “Pop-Pop” and Young “Grandma” helped take care of them which included trips to the bowling alley, parks, and pool and helping them with their reading, writing and arithmetic.

Casper was known for his smile, for his kind heart, for helping people, and for being a “talker” to everyone. He would engage in conversations with all those around him. He loved to brag about his family. He was extremely happy to have lived to see his grandson get his Master’s degree and granddaughter get her Bachelor’s degree. He was proud of his wife, daughters, and grandchildren for their accomplishments and support.

He enjoyed daily visits to Denny’s and Roy Rogers Restaurants with an occasional visit to Krispy Kreme. The regulars and staff at these locations as well as other businesses knew him well and treated him like family.

Casper will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on through his family, friends, and those who were fortunate enough to have known him. May he rest in eternal peace.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Young Ae (Choi) Tharp, daughter Sukcha Tharp, daughter Sandee Y. (Tharp) Riley, son-in-law Terence Riley, grandson Patrick C. Riley, granddaughter Kelly M. Riley, one sister Jean (Tharp) Coaker, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces. Casper was preceded in death by his son John Tharp, his parents Frederick Daniel Tharp and Mina Evelyn (Miller) Tharp, and his siblings Galen Tharp, Betty (Tharp) Waldron, and David Tharp.

Casper wanted a simple graveside funeral service which will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. If you are planning to attend the funeral, you will need to arrive promptly at 12:15 p.m. with a photo ID via Memorial Avenue. Gate guards will direct you to park in queuing lanes. Signs will let you know which lane is dedicated to your service.

More information can be found on the ANC website: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral/Order-of-Events.

Please contact the family at casperyoung7@gmail.com for further information.