David Ogden Tharp passed away on unexpectedly on Dec. 26, 2022, at his home in Willington, 2022. He was 56.
David Tharp, 56, passed away Dec. 26.
Dave was a father, a husband, a son, a brother; and for many years a soldier, security professional, and diplomat serving his country in Central America, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.
Dave grew up in Darien where he graduated high school in 1984. It was there that his lifelong passion for music was born, and he began his mastery of the guitar. Dave was also a talented baseball player, following in the tradition of his grandfather, MLB pitcher Warren “Curly” Ogden.
Studying business at Southern Connecticut State University, Dave met his wife, Michelle, in the student center in 1988. By then he had already served his first stint with the U.S. Army, which included a deployment in Honduras.
Dave was subsequently called up for service in the Gulf War in 1991, after which he continued to serve in the Army Reserves as a drill sergeant. He later served in Iraq, where he attained the rank of platoon sergeant, after which he served as a diplomat with the State Department in Afghanistan. Amid these tours of duty, Dave was an entrepreneur, as the founder and CEO of the security firm American Sentry.
Of his many roles in life, Dave most cherished being a father to his children, Sam, Will and Grace. His love for music also never diminished, and he steadily blossomed into a talented songwriter and performer.
Dave is survived by his father, Marshall; his wife, Michelle; his children, William and Grace; his brother Edward; and his sisters, Linda and Carol.
— an obituary from Legacy.com, where online condolences may be left
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Editor’s note: He didn’t have life insurance. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help his family.