LANCASTER, SC ~ Mr. James "Jim" Brooks Tharpe, 79, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at Foothills Presbyterian Home in Easley, SC.  He was born January 8, 1940 in Greenville, SC, a son of the late Heirlen Owens Tharpe and Harry Kermit Tharpe.  Jim served our country for 4 years in the United States Air Force where he taught as a Missile Guidance Instructor and served as an Instrumentation Tech for 1 year in Utah.   He Graduated from Lancaster High School in 1958 and Clemson with his Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineer degree in 1966.  Jim worked as an Electronic Instructor at Tri County Tech, Pratt Whitney as Instrumentation Engineer, Saco Lowell Textile as Design Engineer, Allied Chemical as Design Engineer, Celanese Chemical as Engineer and Superintendent and NASA.  He was awarded two patents, one while working for Saco Lowell and another while working for Celanese Corp.  Jim enjoyed water skiing, automobiles, car shows, the mountains and was an avid Clemson fan.  He was a member of Second Baptist Church, Lancaster, SC and enjoyed serving his church family. Jim also served as Deacon at East North Street Baptist while living in Taylors, SC.

Mr. Tharpe is survived by two sons, Joe Tharpe and his wife, Lisa of State Center, IA and Jeff Tharpe and his wife, Wanda of Easley, SC; two granddaughters, Hayden Tharpe and Makenzie Tharpe; two stepdaughters, Melanie Merchant of Rock Hill, SC and Cecelia Henson of Great Falls, SC by marriage to Bertha Ferguson Tharpe; and cousins, Curtis of Greenville, Nancy of Lake Keowee, Susan of Charlotte, Bill of Columbia, and Clint of Greenville.

Mr. Tharpe was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 47 years, Nancy Threatt Tharpe; and also his second wife, Bertha Koon Ferguson Tharpe.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mr. Tharpe will be 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Second Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Brian Saxon. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Second Baptist Church and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Secomd Baptist Church Library' Fund, 1426 Great Falls Hwy., Lancaster, SC 29720.

An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com .

Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for the family of Mr. Tharpe .