DAVID J. THARP

April 6, 1949 - May 18, 2021

One of Burnt Cabin’s most ardent supporters was killed in a truck accident Tuesday, May 18. David Tharp took the task of being a “Burnt Cabin supporter” to the highest level possible. Burnt Cabin was as essential to his life as breathing for years and years. He not only helped Sam Yaws (camp manager) with the many physical aspects of keeping the camp up and running – like keeping the buildings and grounds in good, safe conditions for the campers but also in other aspects most people did not realize. He helped with the gathering of metal scrap from the camp and other places so that he and Sam could load it up and take it to sell. All the proceeds went into the operating fund for the camp. He and Sam (and their wives) attended auctions far & wide as well as yard sales, looking for equipment and other things that they could get a good deal on for the camp in order to save that operating fund money for other essentials. The “equipment” might be as simple as large serving spoons for the kitchen to large items like a commercial ice maker. David was out at the camp every single week, sometimes almost every day, always willing to do whatever was needed with a smile. Sometimes he had to stop to share a good story with Sam – never admitting he needed to tell the story so he could take a little rest. David never missed a Burnt Cabin Board of Directors’ meeting. He was a deacon at the South College church and used that forum to further support the work at Burnt Cabin. Please consider honoring David Tharp with a donation to the Burnt Cabin operating fund in his memory.