Thomas L. (Tom) Tharp was a Life Member of the OVFC having joined in July 1970. Tom passed away on 20 July 2016 at the age of 74. He was a resident of Key Largo, FL at the time of his death. He was an active member of the fire company there and was instrumental in creating an independent fire district to fund and manage that department.
Tom served on numerous committees and held many offices on the administrative side of the OVFC to include President in 1997. He worked vigorously to improve the volunteer fire service on the National, State, and County levels. He served the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association on too many committees to list. He served as President for two terms – 1975 to 1977. He was elected to the Association Hall of Fame in September 1998.
Tom has also served the MSFA on many committees including Convention and Legislative and was President from 1981 to 1982. The Emergency Assistance Trust Fund was established during his tenure which has proven to be one of the most successful and helpful programs of the Association. He served as Maryland’s delegate to the National Volunteer Fire Council for many years. Tom was inducted into the MSFA Hall of Fame in June 1986.