Patricia A. Thacker

Patricia A. Thacker, age 74, of Grants Pass, died Monday, July 13, 2009 at an adult foster home.

A gathering to honor her life and share memories will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Our Savior Evangelical Church (230 Buysman Way) with Pastor Steven Sparley officiating. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

She was born Patricia Austin on August 10, 1934 in Keystone, California to Charles & Wilma Austin. She was raised in Apple Valley, California and graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1952. In 1954 she graduated from Boise Junior College. She then taught second grade classes at Jefferson Elementary School in Boise, Idaho until she met Samuel Thacker Jr and they were married on June 9, 1956. Together they had five children and their family was completed when they adopted a son in 1973. Patricia drove school buses for many years and retired as a transportation supervisor in 1987. In October 1987 she retired to Grants Pass from Lancaster, California.

She was a longtime member of Fleet Reserve Association Auxiliary Branch #68 and a proud member of Our Savior Evangelical Church.

Patricia volunteered at Madrona Elementary School.

She loved crossword puzzles, needlepoint, and canning.

In addition to her husband, Sam Thacker Jr of Grants Pass, Oregon; she is survived by five children, Sam Thacker III of Silverdale, Washington, Scott Thacker of Elkins, West Virginia, Patrick Thacker of Grants Pass, Oregon, Sherilyn Thacker of Palmdale, California, and Jeffrey Thacker of Pasadena, California; two sisters, Mary Jo Getchel of Lompoc, California and Betty Elgin of Tacoma, Washington; a brother, William Austin of Apple Valley, California; ten grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kelly Thacker; her parents, Charles & Wilma Austin; and a brother, Curtis.