Paul Thomas Tharp

Funeral services for Paul Tharp, 76, of Giddings, Texas, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings, Texas, with Rev. Robert Tiner and Rev. Joshua Hahn officiating. Burial will follow in the Giddings City Cemetery with military honors provided by Giddings American Legion York post 276. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. Paul Tharp was born on January 11, 1949, in Gonzales, Texas, the son of Leslie and Betty Jean (Cuvelier) Tharp. He was baptized in June 1961, in Gonzales and confirmed in May 1971, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings. After graduating from High School, Paul joined the United States Army. He moved to Giddings in 1970, and worked for General Telephone Company (GTE) for 27 ½ years as the General Manager. Paul was united in marriage to Jo Lynn (Walther) Tharp May 24, 1975, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings, by Rev. Emil Krugler. After retiring from GTE, he worked for KF Electric as an electrician and estimator for 19 years. Paul's wife Jo Lynn passed in December of 2013, after 38 years together. On January 2, 2016, he was united in marriage to Ettie Hevin in Giddings. Through the years, Paul served as an elder, school board member, usher, and Trustee at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings. He was a member of the Noon Lions Club and the former Post Commander of the American Legion York Post 276 in Giddings. In his free time, Paul enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, working cattle and working on the farm. Paul also enjoyed going on cruises but most of all spending time with his family. Paul passed away the evening of Monday, August 25, 2025, in Austin after a hard-fought battle with lung disease and kidney failure. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Betty Jean Tharp, and first wife Jo Lynn Tharp. Paul is survived by his wife, Ettie Tharp of Giddings; daughter, Tammy Martinez of Giddings; two sons, Tommy Tharp and wife Tanya of College Station, and Leslie Tharp of Gatesville; two step sons, BJ Jenkins and wife Rosemary of Bastrop, and Kenny Jenkins and wife Sara of Cedar Creek; six grandchildren, Jonathan Stricker and wife Elayna of Paige, Hunter Stricker and fiancée Jamie Zoch of Giddings, Kylynn Martinez of Giddings, Gabrielle Tharp of College Station, Gavin Tharp of College Station and Koopyr Tharp of Gatesville; six step grandchildren, Samantha Jenkins of New Braunfels, Maverick Jenkins of Austin, Zachary Bacoccini of Cedar Creek, Dalton Jenkins of Cedar Creek, Lenora Jenkins of Cedar Creek, and Colby O'Neal and wife Samatha of Daingerfield; five great grandchildren, Emersyn Stricker of Paige, Everlee Stricker of Paige, Brayson O'Neal of Daingerfield, Kaydon O'Neal of Daingerfield, and Sayde O'Neal of Daingerfield; sister, Kathy Blundell and husband Glenn of Gonzales, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Kenneth Walther, Ray Walther, Dustin Gersch, Glenn Blundell, Michael Sanders, and Colby O'Neal. Honorary pallbearers will be 11 of his grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Alpha-1 Foundation, or Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund in Giddings.