James Gordon Tharan

James Gordon Tharan

October 15, 1926 - February 12, 2019

James Gordon Tharan, Gordon as he liked to be called, was born on October 15, 1926 of parents Charles Albert Tharan and Rose Ilene McMullen in Pittsburgh, PA. He was raised on a small farm outside of Emlenton, PA. Gordon had four brothers, Chuck, Russel, William ""Bill"", and Harvey Tharan of Aurora, CO. Gordon graduated Emlenton High in 1943 and in August 1944 he entered the United States Navy and served during the Second World War. He was stationed at Norfolk, VA for basic training, was a Seamen 1^st Class and was first assigned to the USS LST 585 as a gunner's mate. He was eventually transferred and re-assigned to the SS H.W. Sinclair where he served as a gunner man for the duration of the war in the South Pacific Theater and was Honorably Discharged in June 1946.

Gordon then went to hair dressing and barber school in New York to become a licensed Beautician. He opened his first shop in Oil City, PA where he met his bride to be Marjorie A. “Marge” Coughlin of Erie, PA. They married on March 31^st, 1951 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and had three children while living in Oil City, PA., James Gordon “Jim” Tharan II, Dennis Mark Tharan and Mary Valerie Tharan. Due to the poor health of their first son Jim it was recommended that they move west so in 1958 Gordon, Marge and family took a family trip to California to find a new residence. On their return to Pennsylvania they drove through Colorado and fell in love with the beauty of the state and decided to relocate there instead, moving to Aurora in 1959. Gordon opened Gordon's Beauty Salon at Colfax and Geneva streets in downtown Aurora where he and his brother Harvey cut and styled hair for many years.

Cathy Ann Tharan was born to Gordon and Marge on December 6^th, 1960. In 1963 they lost Cathy to a very short illness and they never recovered from their loss. Carol Eileen Tharan was born April 2^nd, 1962. In 1969 they relocated to Chambers Heights and Daniel Robert Tharan was born in December of that year. Gordon relocated his salon to the Chambers Heights areas until he retired in 1997.

Gordon was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hiking, fishing and camping, and hunting deer and elk. His greatest love was being with his family in the great outdoors. Every chance he had he was in the mountains with his boys teaching them how to fish, camp and hunt. He just enjoyed sitting around a campfire joking, laughing, and telling stories. He was very involved with his sons in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts where he was an assistant Scout Leader and a member of the Elks Lodge. He also took a special interest in his daughters, ensuring they had special times with Dad, camping and fishing or just being with them in activities they enjoyed.

Gordon was a devout Catholic and attended St. Pius the Tenth Catholic Church in Aurora for over 30 years prior to becoming a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He served as an usher, administered the Eucharist and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie; his son James Gordon “Jim” Tharan II; his parents Charles Albert Tharan and Rose Ilene McMullen; and his brothers Chuck, Russel, and William “Bill” Tharan. He is survived by his second eldest son, Dennis Mark (Susan) Tharan; daughters, Mary Valerie (Dale) Stewart and Carol Eileen Tharan; youngest son, Daniel Robert (Faith) Tharan; grandchildren Chad Alan (Peri) Tharan, Lindsey Tharan (Jeff) Martin, Cathy (Joe) Stewart, Zackary Ryan Tharan, and Max Gordon Tharan; and great grandchildren Hanna Shea, Bettina Madison, Nathan Martin, and Lana Quinn Stewart.

A Rosary for Gordon will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on February 21^st, 2019 at Horan & McConaty, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado. A funeral Mass and reception will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 22^nd, 2019 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 13120 E. Kentucky Avenue, Aurora, Colorado. A private family internment will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry Street, #700, Denver, CO, 80246.

Recitation of the Rosary : February 21, 2019 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Funeral Mass: February 22, 2019 10:00 am

Queen of Peace Catholic Church
13120 E. Kentucky Avenue
Aurora , CO 80012