TJ was a happy camper for many summers at the Colorado Mountain Ranch above Boulder, in beautiful Gold Hill. A staff member there, learning of the shock of his recent death, posted the following reaction on Facebook: "Yesterday my heart broke to learn that our Ranch family lost a very special camper/CIT/little brother. Today, I am at the Colorado Mountain Ranch and surrounded by memories of TJ, and by people who loved that boy as much as I did . . ." (This staffer also quoted a remark TJ made to her two summers ago at the venerable age of 17: "Maureen you would be so proud of how adult I am these days it's not even funny"). Strikingly similar sentiments from TJ's young friends have flooded his Facebook page throughout this week since his passing: "You're the only person I've met who has the ability to make every single person in a room feel like they're the most important person you've talked to all week. You have a knack for making all the little things feel special. The time we spent together always held the best surprises and I know I will always be able to look to you when times get rough." And yet another heartfelt tribute tidbit: "You were such a beautiful soul. You carried compassion and grace, and always had the most beautiful, most kind smile I've ever seen. . . . I will never forget you. Rest In Peace, TJ Tharp, you will be forever remembered."
Our beloved TJ (shorthanded by some to "Teej") went to sleep on the night of June 24 and never woke up. Maybe he was dreaming of all the accomplishments he had made in his short 19 years of energetic and full-force living: the two years under his belt at Front Range Community College, hoping thereafter to gain admission to CU or CSU business school; his stick-to-it-ness in retaking accounting and ending up with a B; his hours of sweat-filled work as a bus boy at the Med and 95A restaurants; his graduation from Catalyst High School, and his hard work at Cedar Ridge Academy in Roosevelt, UT, preceded by his completion of the K-8 program at Horizons Alternative School. Or maybe, in his sleepy depths, TJ was reviewing his college-visit road trip ventured last month, all the way from Boulder to San Diego and back via St. George, UT and Flagstaff, AZ. Or perhaps he was thinking of his next day's plans to go to a best friend's home for some tutoring in philosophy (an online summer course he was finding difficult), followed by an anticipated weekend at this dear friend's cabin outside Steamboat Springs, a place TJ loved. He might have been reminiscing about all the many friends he held close, spread throughout Boulder and the West. Or he simply could have been digesting his latest bacon cheeseburger and hoping to feel a little better in the morning.
That morning never came for TJ. His heart stopped, and our mourning began. Even when the times in his life were tough, TJ was the quintessential light of our lives. He made mistakes but he faced the music, and he was really starting to hit his mojo. He relished life (per Facebook: "Oh my lordy its beautiful today whose comin' to the mountainsssss"!) He recognized and tried his best to face life's intense challenges and setbacks ("Learning the hard way is the best way" -- or, quoting rapper Tupac, "Seems like every time you come up something tries to bring you back down.") He was funny as all get-out ("One of my professors compared me to the wolf of wall street"), and as kind and loving as they come ("Successful people are always looking to help others, unsuccessful people are always looking what's in it for them"). TJ was a tremendous sports fan (Nuggets, Broncos, and CU Buffs especially), adored animals (his kitty Ling Ling), relished his collection of racy hip hop, took meticulous care of his grooming and clothes, had ambitions to finish college with a business degree, and was a devoted worker at the new Whimsy Farm "u-pick-em" fruit growing business on Valmont Road. He intensely loved his family and friends. His sensitivity knew no bounds. His heart wanted to love and be filled with love. TJ himself was loved beyond belief. He earned every single heartbeat of that most cherished of emotions.
Our hearts are utterly shattered. They feel blown apart beyond repair. We question: how we can go on without seeing TJ's smile, hearing his laugh, feeling his warm hug, and soaking in his incomparable company, each and every day? We don't know how we will find the strength or the will. And yet TJ would tell us: live your lives fearlessly, and beautifully, and generously, for me. Keep me close to your hearts and in your souls forever. Remember how much I wanted to continue to live, and to grow and learn, and to find love, and to be with you all for years to come. Please don't be too sad, since then I'll be sad too. I am with you all, each and every one of you whose lives I touched, always.
TJ passed a few short weeks away from his 20th birthday. He is survived by his parents, Dennis Tharp and Barbara ("Bebo") Andrews, as well as by his devoted sister, Christina ("Nisty") Tharp, and his loving older brothers Andy Tharp, and Ryan Tharp (recently married to Jessica Tharp), all of Boulder/Denver. He is beloved by his uncle and aunt, Keith and Brenda Tharp of Cheyenne, WY, and their children (Kendra, Jason and Travis and families). He is cherished by his aunts Jamila Tharp and Michelle Hasting of Salem, OR and their children, as well as by his devoted and encouraging aunt, Ellie Krug of Minneapolis, MN. He is embraced by his aunt and uncle, Chris and Tony Olek of Ocean City, NJ, and their children (Jon Olek and Paige Ingelsby and their families). Other beloved family members not mentioned here were cherished supporters of TJ and feel his loss deeply.
A public VISITATION and viewing for TJ will be held at the Greenwood & Myers Mortuary, 2969 Baseline Road, Boulder, 80303, between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. All are welcome and refreshments will be served. An informal outdoor service will be planned for later in the summer.
CONTRIBUTIONS in TJ's name can be made to the nonprofit enterprises of the Colorado Mountain Ranch (Mountain Summers Scholarship Fund, and/or Ranch Rebuilding Fund), via the Ranch at 10063 Gold Hill Road, Boulder, CO 80302 (303-442-4557; www.coloradomountainranch.com).
Our beloved TJ (shorthanded by some to "Teej") went to sleep on the night of June 24 and never woke up. Maybe he was dreaming of all the accomplishments he had made in his short 19 years of energetic and full-force living: the two years under his belt at Front Range Community College, hoping thereafter to gain admission to CU or CSU business school; his stick-to-it-ness in retaking accounting and ending up with a B; his hours of sweat-filled work as a bus boy at the Med and 95A restaurants; his graduation from Catalyst High School, and his hard work at Cedar Ridge Academy in Roosevelt, UT, preceded by his completion of the K-8 program at Horizons Alternative School. Or maybe, in his sleepy depths, TJ was reviewing his college-visit road trip ventured last month, all the way from Boulder to San Diego and back via St. George, UT and Flagstaff, AZ. Or perhaps he was thinking of his next day's plans to go to a best friend's home for some tutoring in philosophy (an online summer course he was finding difficult), followed by an anticipated weekend at this dear friend's cabin outside Steamboat Springs, a place TJ loved. He might have been reminiscing about all the many friends he held close, spread throughout Boulder and the West. Or he simply could have been digesting his latest bacon cheeseburger and hoping to feel a little better in the morning.
That morning never came for TJ. His heart stopped, and our mourning began. Even when the times in his life were tough, TJ was the quintessential light of our lives. He made mistakes but he faced the music, and he was really starting to hit his mojo. He relished life (per Facebook: "Oh my lordy its beautiful today whose comin' to the mountainsssss"!) He recognized and tried his best to face life's intense challenges and setbacks ("Learning the hard way is the best way" -- or, quoting rapper Tupac, "Seems like every time you come up something tries to bring you back down.") He was funny as all get-out ("One of my professors compared me to the wolf of wall street"), and as kind and loving as they come ("Successful people are always looking to help others, unsuccessful people are always looking what's in it for them"). TJ was a tremendous sports fan (Nuggets, Broncos, and CU Buffs especially), adored animals (his kitty Ling Ling), relished his collection of racy hip hop, took meticulous care of his grooming and clothes, had ambitions to finish college with a business degree, and was a devoted worker at the new Whimsy Farm "u-pick-em" fruit growing business on Valmont Road. He intensely loved his family and friends. His sensitivity knew no bounds. His heart wanted to love and be filled with love. TJ himself was loved beyond belief. He earned every single heartbeat of that most cherished of emotions.
Our hearts are utterly shattered. They feel blown apart beyond repair. We question: how we can go on without seeing TJ's smile, hearing his laugh, feeling his warm hug, and soaking in his incomparable company, each and every day? We don't know how we will find the strength or the will. And yet TJ would tell us: live your lives fearlessly, and beautifully, and generously, for me. Keep me close to your hearts and in your souls forever. Remember how much I wanted to continue to live, and to grow and learn, and to find love, and to be with you all for years to come. Please don't be too sad, since then I'll be sad too. I am with you all, each and every one of you whose lives I touched, always.
TJ passed a few short weeks away from his 20th birthday. He is survived by his parents, Dennis Tharp and Barbara ("Bebo") Andrews, as well as by his devoted sister, Christina ("Nisty") Tharp, and his loving older brothers Andy Tharp, and Ryan Tharp (recently married to Jessica Tharp), all of Boulder/Denver. He is beloved by his uncle and aunt, Keith and Brenda Tharp of Cheyenne, WY, and their children (Kendra, Jason and Travis and families). He is cherished by his aunts Jamila Tharp and Michelle Hasting of Salem, OR and their children, as well as by his devoted and encouraging aunt, Ellie Krug of Minneapolis, MN. He is embraced by his aunt and uncle, Chris and Tony Olek of Ocean City, NJ, and their children (Jon Olek and Paige Ingelsby and their families). Other beloved family members not mentioned here were cherished supporters of TJ and feel his loss deeply.
A public VISITATION and viewing for TJ will be held at the Greenwood & Myers Mortuary, 2969 Baseline Road, Boulder, 80303, between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. All are welcome and refreshments will be served. An informal outdoor service will be planned for later in the summer.
CONTRIBUTIONS in TJ's name can be made to the nonprofit enterprises of the Colorado Mountain Ranch (Mountain Summers Scholarship Fund, and/or Ranch Rebuilding Fund), via the Ranch at 10063 Gold Hill Road, Boulder, CO 80302 (303-442-4557; www.coloradomountainranch.com).
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