Leland Earl "Bud" Tharp

Leland Earl “Bud” Tharp, 85, of Kansas City, KS, passed away on April 10, 2019 at his home. He was born on January 12, 1934 to Ellis and Goldie Dyke Tharp in Omaha, Arkansas. As a teenager Bud was an excellent and muscular forward guard for his hometown basketball team at Omaha High School. Bud was still shooting hoops in his 70’s with his young friends at church and had a great left hook. Bud was an avid KU Basketball fan. Growing up by Bee Creek in Arkansas, Bud delighted in telling stories of hard work, hunting and nature. In later years, Bud especially loved coon hunting in Kansas with his beagles and his beloved mule, “Hot Lips.” Because of Bud’s lifelong fondness of mules, his friends lovingly referred to him as “The Mule Skinner.” Three weeks ago, Bud and 2 good friends took the dogs to the woods for a run. The dogs were released and Bud listened to the baying hounds with fondness. He said, “That was the best race I’ve ever heard!” After graduating from Omaha High School, Bud worked on a wheat harvest crew. The crew followed the wheat harvest from Oklahoma to Canada. After harvest, Bud settled in Kansas City. Bud worked at Guston-Bacon Fiberglass, Sunflower Munitions, CertinTeed and Corrugated Steel. On June 2, 1956 he married Mary Lee Flanders. To this union were born two children. Bud and his wife Mary Lee obeyed the Gospen and became baptized believers on November 25, 1993 – Thanksgiving Day. Bud was a faithful member of the Mill Creek Church of Christ. Bud loved to help people: he mentored many young men in the skills of fishing and hunting. He also was helpful in mowing neighbors lawns. On September 6, 2008, he married Charlotte Frizzell. Bud and Charlotte lived in Kansas City, KS and were married 10 years. Bud and Charlotte liked to travel, but mostly enjoyed sitting on the patio enjoying a cup of coffee. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lee Tharp; father, Ellis Tharp; mother, Goldie Tharp; 3 sisters, Lillian Killman, Ruth Leatherman and Leona Barnes. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Tharp of the home; 2 sons, Larry (Dorothy) Tharp of Mission, Kansas and Mark Tharp of North Miami, Florida; 1 granddaughter, Victoria Tharp of Mission, Kansas; one great grandson, Xavier Leland; and one brother, Delbert “Dobe” Tharp of Omaha, Arkansas. Bud will be missed by his nieces and nephews as well as his many friends.

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Leland Earl "Bud" Tharp

January 12, 1934 - April 10, 2019