ORAL THOMAS "TOM" THORP

Tom Thorp, 74, of Mertzon passed away on Friday, September 24, 2010 at his home in Mertzon after battling a short term illness. Funeral services will be at 2:00pm Monday, September 27, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church of Mertzon with Rev. Mark Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Cemetery. Arrangements are with Robert Massie Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Jim Thorp; Wayne Thorp; Kevin Thorp; Bill Thorp; Mike Thorp; J.R. Thorp; Tom Mase; and Bill Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Bub Bailey; Eddie Martin; Freeman Pickett III; Gus McBee; Wayne Shafer; Billy Tankersley; Jamie West; Bobby Large; Bill Henry and Ray Hanusch. Tom was born on December 7, 1935 in San Angelo as the third son of Joe P. and Nanny B. Thorp of Mertzon. He graduated high school from Mertzon and entered the U.S. Navy in 1955, serving as a storekeeper aboard the USS Castor. Tom and Esther Pauline Rathmell were married in Mertzon on July 30, 1958. After several years in heavy highway and pipeline construction jobs, Tom and Esther moved back to Mertzon and then started a small oilfield service company in 1972 that operates today as Tom Thorp Transports, Inc. with yards in Mertzon and Ozona, Texas. In recent years, Tom was mostly involved in family farming and ranching operations in the Mertzon, Knickerbocker, and Arden areas. His passions included hay farming, brush management, and gathering with friends to drink coffee and visit. He is preceded in death by both parents, brothers, Joe Robert and Stokie Thorp. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Esther Thorp of Mertzon; sons, Jim Thorp and Debbie Gibson of Mertzon; Wayne and Jennifer Thorp of Mertzon; Kevin and Nicole Thorp of Knickerbocker. Tom was blessed with and survived by 5 grandchildren, Kambra Thorp; Erin Thorp; Hayden Thorp; Tanner Thorp; and Tyler Thorp along with several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials me be sent to I-Care Foundation, P.O. Box 326; Mertzon, Texas 76941; Hospice of San Angelo, 36 E. Twohig, San Angelo, Texas 76903; Sherwood Cemetery Association Box, PO Box 768, Mertzon, Texas 76941.