John Mercer Thorp
August 6, 1930 ~ July 19, 2017
ROCKY MOUNT - John Mercer Thorp, Sr. went to heaven peacefully while in hospice care on July 19, 2017. He was born on August 6, 1930 in Rocky Mount, the son of the late Lewis Sumner Thorp and Routh Speed Mercer Thorp. He was the middle of three children. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years, and mother of his children, Cynthia Mahler Thorp, his two brothers, Lewis Sumner Thorp and Seabury Daniel Thorp and his son William Mahler Thorp.
Mr. Thorp graduated from Rocky Mount High School and The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He served in the United States Army and worked as a general manager for a variety of businesses in the Rocky Mount area. He was an active Episcopalian with multiple terms as a vestryman and senior warden of both Christ Episcopal and The Church of the Good Shepard. He belonged to the Zeta Psi Fraternity and UNC Educational Foundation. He was active in the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member and board member of the Rocky Mount Pregnancy Care Center for 30 years.
He is survived by his second wife Rogers Williams Thorp, his son John Mercer Thorp, Jr and his wife Joe Carol Wrape Thorp of Chapel Hill, his daughter Helen Porter Thorp of Greensboro, and his daughter in law Lindsay Sloan Thorp of Chapel Hill. He had five grandchildren John Mercer Thorp III (Rosemary Steinbach), Samuel Hurley Thorp (Anna Baucom), Nathan Farlow Thorp (Patricia Monroe), Anna Carol Thorp, and William August Mahler Thorp. He had one great grandchild-John Mercer Thorp IV. He is also survived and was supported by numerous step children, grand-children, and a great grand-daughter.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Church of the Good Shepherd, 231 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount with the Rev. Juliana Lindenberg officiating. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rocky Mount Pregnancy Care Center, 400 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 or to the Church of the Good Shepard, 231 N Church Street 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Saturday 7/22, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Service
Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
231 N. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Sunday 7/23, 2:00 pm
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Gracious, wise, generous. John was a compassionate man and the very picture of a Christian leader. He was a great example to me and many others. Those that had the opportunity to spend time with John, whether in business, ministry or simply as his friend, are no doubt better for the experience.
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Thorp. I knew him for 40 years and always enjoyed discussing Carolina Basketball with him. He was a true Southern gentleman. My prayers are with his family and friends. I know that he is having a grand reunion with family and friends like Dr. Bob White. You will be missed.
So sorry to hear about John. He was such a wonderful Christian man. My husband Jerry enjoyed serving with him on the Pregnancy board. Now they are both walking the streets of gold. My condolences to his family. He leaves a great legacy for his family & friends. Pam Barnes
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful Christian leader and always treated others with so much kindness. Praying for the family to be comforted by knowing he is in heaven and at rest.
John was such a strong yet humble Christian. Following his testimony years ago at Christ Episcopal Church, we could not wait to find out about the Bible Study at Seabury’s home. We met so many dear friends there and gained so much knowledge of The Word. Through John we also became involved in The Ancient of Days, a family Christian coffee house located downtown. John continued to be our mentor and it was through him that we learned of the beginnings of the Pregnancy Care Center. Everything he did or said was full of the love of Jesus… he will be missed but I know he is so happy. Our love goes out to all of his dear family….. Bill and Pat McDonald