Kenneth (Kenny) Allen Tharp Jr., 59, of Somerville, Texas, passed away on July 24, 2026.
While he will be deeply missed here on Earth, his family finds comfort in knowing he is fully healed and in the presence of Jesus. No more suffering—only perfect peace. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, laughter, and devotion to those he loved most.
Kenny was born on November 9, 1966, to Kenneth Sr. and Windelyn (Duewall) Tharp at Goodnight Memorial Hospital delivered by Dr. Joe Smith in Caldwell.
He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith and was a life long member of Cooks Point Methodist Church.
In his high school days, when Kenny was not working his side jobs or dreaming up the ideas for his next business model, he played football for the Caldwell Hornet football team where he was on the defensive line.
He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1985 and directly entered the workforce.
Kenny’s entrepreneurial spirit began when he was a young boy at the age of 13 with his first ever self-established business of mowing yards.
In the years following his first job, Kenny also owned a bait business with his parents, worked at Loehr and Siegert Drilling, Jack Howe Construction, owned a steam cleaning business, and worked at Farm and Ranch in Bryan where he eventually became a partner of the company.
When he decided it was time to begin yet another business of their own, Kenny and Melissa opened Overall Lumber and Hardware in Somerville in 1994.
A man who was used to having many “irons in the fire” at one time, Kenny also went on to open Brazos Valley Turf and Lonestar Express Wash shortly after the opening of the hardware store.
On June 27, 1992, he married the love of his life, Melissa “Missy” Lenz. Together they built a life grounded in faith, family, and hard work. They were not only partners in building a family and a life together but also life long partners in building businesses.
Kenny and Melissa went on to have one daughter (Taylor) and one son (Layne). Both children were Kenny’s pride and joy and he was always honored to tell everyone that his children were both Texas A&M University graduates.
Although he cherished his children, he especially found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren and being “Poppy” to Taytum and Tyetan. Saturday morning donut delivery, trips to the grocery store and sleep-overs with breaking lots of “mom rules” are a few memories his grandchildren will always cherish.
Kenny was known for his strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to build just about anything. If he encountered something he didn’t know how to do, he took the initiative to research it, master the process, and deliver results that went beyond what was asked.
As an avid reader and history enthusiast, Kenny found great pride in knowing that he was the 6th generation descendant of Andrew S. Broaddus’ wagon train which left from Sparta, Virginia in 1855 and eventually settled in Cooks Point. Kenny was deeply rooted in history and especially the history of his ancestors.
When Kenny was able to find extra time in his busy days, he enjoyed spending time with his family by cooking Sunday dinner, watching an old Western, Case knife collecting, tinkering with his antique farm equipment, and reading a good history book.
In his younger years, you would find him grinning ear to ear standing on the bow of a jon boat holding the biggest yellow catfish that he pulled right from the Brazos River.
His commitment to the community ran deep. He served in several positions at Cooks Point Methodist Church including chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and chairman of the trustees, Mayor of Somerville, Somerville PTO president, Tri-County Crop Ag Breakfast Committee member and member of the Lake Somerville Lions Club. Wherever he went, he invested in people.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Melissa Tharp; his daughter and son-in-love, Taylor and Tyler Hohlt of Somerville; his son Layne Tharp of Caldwell; his grandchildren, Taytum Lauren and Tyetan Wayne Hohlt of Somerville. He is also survived by his parents, Ken Sr. and Windelyn Tharp of Caldwell; his older sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Kelly Matejka of Burleson; his younger sister and brother-inlaw, Joy and Frank Monroe of Caldwell; nieces, Kasey and Nathan Barber (Bradley and Brody) of College Station, Kelsey and Terron Havins (Hadlee and Madelyn) of Burleson; and nephews, Tyler and Kirby Monroe (Mason) of Austin and Levi Monroe of San Marcos. He is survived by his brotherin- law, Edward (Kim) Lenz of Milano; sisterin- law, Darla (Randy) Rychlik of College Station, sister-in-law, Kim Lenz of Edge, and sister- in-law, Courtney Lenz of Kurten. He also leaves behind many extended family members including numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and lifelong friends who were family to him.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Odell and Juanita (Broaddus) Tharp and maternal grandparents, Moody and Minnie Lee (Windel) Duewall; his father-in-law and mother- in-law, Edward and Sandra Lenz; and his special friends, Ricky Sr. and Connie Mantey.
Serving as pallbearers are Hubert “Pete” Bednar, Sonny Schoenemann Jr., Kelly Matejka, Frank Monroe, Tyler Monroe, Levi Monroe, Edward “Jr.” Lenz, Tyler Hohlt, and Layne Tharp.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are John Giesenschlag, Scott York, Ben Flencher, Armando Medina, Delbert Faust, Margie Faust, Howard Faust, Jack Howe, Jack Baumann, Frank (Butch) Surovik, Kasey Barber, and Kelsey Havins.
Visitation: Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with the family receiving visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home, 530 TX-36 Caldwell.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at Strickland Funeral Home, 530 TX-36 Caldwell, with Pastor Frank Coats and Pastor Basil Lister officiating.
Burial will follow the funeral service at Cooks Point Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow 4902 State Highway 21 East Caldwell.
Memorials in Kenny’s name may be made to: * Cooks Point Methodist Church, 4902 State Hwy. 21 E., Caldwell, Texas 77836.
* Somerville Education Foundation, P.O. Box 997, Somerville, Texas 77879.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. Visit www.stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.