Jesse Tharp III

Jesse Joyner Tharp III, age 86, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025. Born in Forrest City, Arkansas, Jesse was a proud graduate of Forrest City High School before attending Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. He spent many years of his life in service to his family, community, and faith. He was a member of Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Jesse was the co-founder of Fox Pools & Spas along with his wife of 46 years, Darline. Together they built a 3rd generation family business located in the heart of Hendersonville. Believing in strong family values, the business has withstood the test of time, creating strong & lasting relationships with their employees as well as providing high-quality products and services to many satisfied clients throughout the 53 years. His legacy in the community is one of dedication and hard work.

Jesse had a lifelong love for airplanes. He built and flew model planes, earned his private pilot’s license, became a member of the Civil Air Patrol and had the privilege of flying for many years. His passion for aviation extended to traveling, where he had the extraordinary experience of flying on the Concorde, as Jesse loved going twice the speed of sound! He also enjoyed exploring the world by land or sea as he boarded many cruise ships, including the most famous QE2.

Though Jesse was a man of few words, he was known for his kindness and generosity. He was beloved by everyone who knew him, and his quiet wisdom and warm presence will be deeply missed.

Jesse was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Joyner Tharp Jr., and his mother, Emma Francis Rock along with his first wife Darline Alberta Schoenegge Tharp.

He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Norma Jean Tharp; his daughter, Lisa Ezell (Wayne); his son, Jesse JayTharp (Shannon); and his stepchildren, Walter M. Fuller IV ("Sonny"), his fiancé’ Lisa Bryant, and Maxwell C. Fuller (Jen). He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren: Jessica L.Ezell Lewis (David), Ryan “Alex” Ezell, Jesse Jay Tharp II, Dr. Philip Ezell (Jamie), Cameron S. Fuller, Mimi C. Fuller, Jacqueline Reid Fuller, Caroline McLain Fuller, and Elizabeth Maxwell Fuller. He also had a very special relationship with his nephew, Jaysen Koehn.

The pallbearers to include Alex Ezell, Jesse Jay Tharp II, Jaysen Koehn, Philip Ezell, Sonny Fuller, and Max Fuller. Honorary pallbearers are David Lewis, Timothy Peay & Rebecca Abernathy.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sumner County Humane Society or a charity of your choice.