Funeral for Donald R. "Big Donnie" Tharp, Sr., will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 10, 2023, in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Greg Baxter officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M Thursday at the funeral home.

Donald Ray Tharp Sr., 75, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023, in Lawton.  He was born on July 8, 1948, in Dallas, Texas, to Sim Allen and Doris Tharp (Petty).

Donnie attended school in Texas. He joined the army in December of 1967 and served until February of 1973. He then served in the National Guard in Lawton, Oklahoma, for 17 years. After that he moved to Dallas where he worked for Good Scents Services for several years while taking care of his mother's health needs. Donnie moved back to Lawton in 2012 and made it his home.

Donnie married Mary Ann Putney on June 20, 1970. Their union lasted for 21 years when she passed away on October 2, 1991. He pursued his best friend, Debbie Rowell, for 20 years until she finally said yes. They were wed on May 25, 2018. Donnie cherished spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Family was important to him, and he especially enjoyed any chance he got to spend with his son Little Donnie. Donnie also loved watching NASCAR. He will be tickled pink to know his favorite guy, Ryan Blaney, won NASCAR Cup Series.

Donnie also enjoyed helping others. Throughout his younger years he donated up to 30 gallons of blood. Back then you did not receive a t-shirt every time you donated, and he proudly wore each one he earned. Donnie also enjoyed helping his elderly neighbors by mowing and caring for their lawns as if they were his own, to include Omas. He also enjoyed sitting out back with his Debbie and their dog, Precious.

Donnie is survived by his wife of the home; his son, Donnie Tharp and wife Leslie; his bonus sons: Shawn Frizzell and Cody Rowell and wife Shelby; his grandchildren: Josh Tharp and wife Jessica, Brandon, Jaiden and husband Corbin, Keagan, Maddelyn, Jackson, Allison, Diesel, Casen, Sara, Shawn Jr., and Robert; his great-grandchildren: Mallarie, Emmalyn, Willa, Arrabella, and Brently; his mother-in-law Patricia Brown; his brother Scott Tharp; brothers-in-law: Ronnie McKnight, Mike Putney, and Ken Butler; sisters-in-law: Heidi Wilson, Betty Bennett, Tina Sprague, and Cheryl Shortt; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his first wife Mary Ann; sisters: Glo Herriage and Karen McKnight; brothers-in-law: Jim Herriage, Big Terry Bennett, and Bobby W. Shortt Jr; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Jim and Susi Putney.