THORP JR., John Gordon

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - John Gordon Thorp Jr. passed away Jan. 10, 2012 at the age of 70. He was born in Kansas City, Mo. April 27, 1941 to John and Vernetta Thorp. He was raised in Fairbury, Neb. as the family managed many farms. He served in the Marine Corp for four years in Hawaii. He owned Thorp Construction in Paonia, Colo., then worked as a crane operator in Tempe before retiring in Lake Havasu City in 2004. He loved to fish our beautiful lake aboard his boat or from the shoreline with his buddies. He was known for developing new innovations to his fishing lines and nets. He enjoyed NASCAR (partly being that he is related to Jeff Gordon), and other sports like football and baseball, especially the Diamondbacks. John is survived by his brothers, Tom and Bill; sister, Pat; son, John Thorp III (Tamarah) of Lake Havasu City; daughters, Joni Tucker (Tim) of Garnett, Kan. and Tammy Reid (Jeff) of Lake Havasu City; and grandsons, Tanner, Aaron and Colton. He was preceded in death by his father, John Gordon Thorp Sr. in 1979 and his mother, Vernetta Thorp in 2008. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday Jan. 21 at 8 a.m. by the lake with the hot air balloons rising as a special tribute to a great man. A military service will be held at a later date in Neb. A memorial fund has been set up at Mohave State Bank in lieu of flowers. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.