BIDDEFORD — Donald Ray Tharpe, 75 of Biddeford, Maine joined the Lord in Heaven on Tuesday Sept. 25, 2018 at the Gosnell House in Scarborough, Maine.

Don was born on Dec. 17, 1942 to the late Horace Tharpe and Margaret Eloise in Columbus, Georgia.  Don moved to Old Orchard Beach in 1956. Old Orchard Beach is where he met his future wife Carol A. (Pendleton) Tharpe.  They were married on Sept. 23, 1961 and made their home in Lyman, Maine.

Donald worked many years for Bedell’s Auto and was a layout man for the Journal Tribune in Biddeford, Maine.  Don enjoyed working on cars, hunting, traveling to GA & AL to visit family and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Don was always known for helping others; often stopping to help strangers on the side of the road.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Carol; his son Kenneth Tharpe and his wife Tina, his daughters, Lori Tharpe and her wife Lisa-Kay Folk and his Daughter Tiffany Prejean; his grandchildren; Justin Tharpe and his wife Paige, Joshua Tharpe and his wife Lizz, Timothy Tharpe and his fiancé Kassandra, Nikia Schaffner and her partner Katie and grandson Nathaniel Hussey; his great-grandchildren, Paityn Tharpe, Kaden Schaffner, Kyler Schaffner and Izaiah Kelly.  He also leaves his step-sisters Anne Mills of Montgomery, Alabama and Sue Carter of Valley, Alabama; as well as several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father Horace Tharpe, mother Margaret Eloise Tharpe and brothers James and Jerry Tharpe.

The family would like to thank Gosnell Hospice House for their wonderful treatment and care of Don and the family.

Visiting Hours will 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A funeral service will be held on Monday at noon at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Biddeford.

To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.