James Thacker

went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, November 8, in Arcata, CA. He was born February 7, 1950 in Blue Lake, California to Jay and Barbara Thacker. He attended Blue Lake Elementary, Arcata High School, and Humboldt State University. During his high school years James and his brother, Tom, assisted their father, Jay, every evening after school in completing the family home on the hill above Blue Lake. James resided in this home until his passing. He joined the Blue Lake Fire Department in 1969 after graduating from high school and was a continuous member for 41 years. In 1974 he was elected as Blue Lake Fire Department Secretary and held this position for 9 years. In that same year he was appointed to chair the construction of the new fire station. James not only was the building committee chair but was also responsible for drawing the building plans and completing all the electrical wiring. In 1976 as part of the new fire station dedication in front of nearly 300 guests James was presented his first Firefighter of the Year award, This was the only time that this award was presented outside of the annual awards dinner. James received this prestigious award again in 1995. James was elected Fire Chief for the Blue Lake Fire Department in 1986 and served as Fire Chief for 10 years. James thought at that time that he wanted to retire from the Fire Department but after a very short respite he was back in the ranks and doing what he loved to do, being a firefighter. In 1988 James was elected as the President of the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association. In 2000 he was elected Blue Lake Fire Department Treasurer and held this position until the time of his passing. James was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Blue Lake Fire Protection District in 2003, and then in 2008 James was elected as the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Blue Lake Fire Protection District. He held this position at the time of his passing, also. James was instrumental in the construction or remodeling of many public buildings in Blue Lake. In addition to the Fire Station, James helped with the remodeling of the Blue Lake Museum building. The Presbyterian House in Blue Lake was lovingly known as "the house that James built." At age twenty-one James began his career at the Pacific Gas and Electric Nuclear Power Plant in Eureka. He continued working there as an operating foreman until his retirement due to disability. James's deep faith was very important to him and carried him through many trials during his life's journey. He attended Blue Lake Presbyterian Church as a child and as a young man. He became a member of the Faith Center in Eureka, California as an adult. James was predeceased by his beloved father, Jay, in June of 2006. He is survived by his wife of twenty-three years and the love of his life, Shirley Rae Thacker; his mother, Barbara Thacker; his stepdaughter, Sherrie Laurie and her husband Craig; grandchildren, Mitch and Elizabeth, all of Anchorage, Alaska. He is also survived by his sister, Jeannie Evans and husband, Bill, their children, Jason Evans and his wife, Christina; Ryan Evans and his daughter, Saura; and Missy Evans, all of Olympia, Washington; his brother, Tom Thacker and his wife, Joanne; and children, Tomi Eaton and her husband Todd and son, Skyler; Shannon Mitchell, Greg Mitchell and his wife Michelle and their four children Annabelle, William, Lylah & Henry. Arrangements are under the direction of Paul's Chapel in Arcata, California, where friends may call on Sunday, November 14, 2010 from 3-7 PM. Services will be held Monday, November 15, 2010 at 1 PM at Faith Center Church on Bay Street in Eureka, California, followed by graveside services at Blue Lake Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Blue Lake Firehouse. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by the Blue Lake Fire Department, PO Box 245, Blue Lake, CA 95525, in memory of James. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obits.