Herman F. Thacker

Herman F. Thacker, 90, of Ridgeway, VA, passed away early Tuesday morning, September 27, 2011 at Hospice Home of Rockingham County in Wentworth, NC. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 30, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden with Minister Bedford Motley and Minister Thomas Joyce. Burial will follow in Mt. View Cemetery in Ridgeway. Mr. Thacker was born November 16, 1920, son of the late Jesse Franklin and Esther Laura O'Dell Thacker. He was a graduate of Ridgeway High School and attended Morgan Ford Christian Church. As a US Army veteran, Mr. Thacker served his country from 1943 to 1945. He achieved the rank of Tech Fifth Grade with the 482nd Engineer Maintenance Company. His service took him to Normandy, Northern France, The Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a silver service star, World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Marksman Badge (with Carbine Bar with Machine Gun Bar with Rifle Bar). Mr. Thacker was employed by American Furniture Company as an electrician for 40 years. When he retired he was the electrical superintendent of maintenance. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Mr. Thacker had many hobbies and interests including gardening, sports and the beach. He provided loving homes for many pets over the years. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Dorothy O'Dell Thacker of the home; daughters, LaVerne Tullock and husband, John of Greensboro, NC and Janet Boardwine and husband, Roy of Ridgeway, VA; one granddaughter, Jasmine Boardwine of Ridgeway; and sister, Ada T. O'Dell of Ridgeway. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel T. Wilson and Mozelle T. Pulliam. A special thanks is extended to family and friends for their many acts of kindess during his illness and also the family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Dayspring Family Medicine, Morehead Memorial Hospital and the Rehab Unit, Smith-McMichael Cancer Center and Hospice of Rockingham County. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, 7 - 9 p.m. at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the home of his daughter, Janet Boardwine, 6435 Mitchell Road in Ridgeway. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 or to Morgan Ford Christian Church in Ridgeway, VA. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com.