James R Thayer

James R. Thayer, 92, of Gainesville passed away on Friday, July 31, 2015. Born February 13, 1923 in Meeteetse, Wyoming to Harry and Louisa Thayer.  One of seven children, he grew up with his sisters on a cattle ranch before graduating from Meeteetse High School, Class of 1941.  Proud to serve his country, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941, just after the U.S. entry in the war.  He served in the Marine Air Corps as a crewman flying transport planes in the Pacific theater.  Later he served in Korea during the Korean conflict before finishing his military career in the Air Force and retiring in 1963.  He parlayed his knowledge of avionics into a civilian career working for Lockheed Aircraft from 1965 until retiring in 1984.

Jim married his wife Marie in 1951 and together they raised six children, moving several times throughout the country due to changing duty assignments.  After retiring, they enjoyed camping in a motorhome and traveled the country extensively before finally settling down in Florida and more recently Georgia.  Jim also was an avid golfer and played regularly until recent years.

In addition to his six sisters, he was preceded in death by two granddaughters.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Marie, daughters Virginia (Bud) Lockwood, Christine (Jerry) Benoit, Carol (Michael) Barnett; sons Dennis Thayer, David (Patty) Thayer, Thomas (Nancy) Thayer, and Joseph (Rachel) Thayer, 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday August 8, 2015 at Good Shepard Lutheran Church, Gainesville, GA. Visitation will be at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour.  Burial will be at Georgia National Cemetery, 10:30 a.m. Monday August 10, 2015.

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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