David Thatcher Obituary

David Owen Thatcher

Titusville

David Owen Thatcher died with his family by his side on Sunday, February 6, 2011. He was 78 years old.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Kemptner; and his mother, Elizabeth Kemptner; his adopted parents, Mary and Waldo Thatcher; a sister, Donna Estes; a brother, Duane Thatcher; a stepbrother, Curtis Thatcher and 2 granddaughters, Heidi and Mary Putz; and by his beloved wife, Shirley.

He is survived by 6 children, Robin Stevens (Brad), Michael Thatcher, Lois Bodziak (Marty), Pamela Putz, Sharon Feagan (Billy), and David Thatcher (Cheryl). Dave also had 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Dave served in the Texas National Guard and was a retired Naval Submarine Officer. He is also retired from Morton Thiokol.

Dave was very active with the Space Coast Habitat for Humanity. He served onboard Mercy Ships and helped people in the former Soviet Bloc Countries. Dave helped out at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, went on church Youth Mission Trips.

Dave loved his wife dearly and was a loving and caring father. He loved adventure, and took his kids as well as their friends on a camping trip across America and into Canada. He took his grandsons and a daughter on an exciting camping trip to Alaska.

Dave's favorite place to visit was his boyhood home of Chama, New Mexico. There he found the simple log cabin, surrounded by majestic mountains, burbling creeks flowing with trout, which brought him the solace and great fly-fishing he longed for.

Dave was a wonderful dad and grandfather. He is a hero to his family as well as his country. He will be sadly missed.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to your local Salvation Army.

A memorial service will be held at IRCUMC on Saturday, February 12 at Noon.

North Brevard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by FloridaToday on Feb. 10, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for David Thatcher

8 Entries

Dina Bitner (Guillen)

February 26, 2011

Very sorry for you loss. My father passed last June and the emptiness that is left in all of us can only be filled with wonderful memories. Take care

Rich Estes

February 24, 2011

Uncle David was Davy Crockett. Really, as a child, there was very little differentiation between the two in my mind. Uncle David was larger than life – swashbuckling, adventurous, world-traveling, loud, fun, manly, looked very important in his sailor suit. He probably could’ve cursed really well, being a sailor, but I never heard him. I’m sure he had rassled a bear at the age of three. He was always in motion, a whirlwind of activity, and was the center of whatever was going on around him – you never didn’t know Uncle David was in the room. I remember him spending much more time with whatever kids were in company than the adults.

He had a van full of kids with him wherever he went. One night our van-of-kids was pulled over by the police. David jumped out to give a friendly hello to the policeman and discuss the unknown infraction. Headlamp burned out. “Headlamp?!” David asked with innocent concern. He and Mr. Policeman walked to the front of the van and inspected the non-compliant light. Yep, it was a headlamp that had apparently not received the memo that we were out for fun, and nothing was to stand in our way. BAM! Uncle David delivered a swift kick to the front bumper of the van and the headlamp dutifully popped back on, bright as it could have ever been. Even the policeman was smiling as he walked back to his motorcycle.

He was a great storyteller – I remember our crowd begging him for a bedtime story one night in a tent. I was expecting a good Thatcher story about our ancestors’ misdeeds. Instead, he made up a scary ghost story on the spot. When he naturally got to the place where the ending would be (and he didn’t have one), he ended with, “And then a bear came in the tent and ate all the kids up!! ROAR!!!”

My favorite memories of Uncle David are more recent, though. He took the effort to connect with me on a very personal basis, asking how I was doing, speaking quietly, looking me straight in the eye. How appropriate, his name – A wise warrior with a deep love of god and such compassion for others around him.

Robin, Mike, Lois, Sharon, Pam, Davy – I don’t know what it was like to be David’s child. I can only imagine your grief right now. But I know what it was like to be his nephew, and I feel so lucky to have had Uncle David as part of my family, an example of manhood that encompassed so much generosity and love for others. You could say that God blessed Uncle David with so many wonderful qualities, and that would be correct, but I think it’s more appropriate to say that God blessed us with Uncle David.

February 21, 2011

My dad was a special person. He helped many and he laughed and made others laugh. I will miss calling him every weekend to see how he was and what he was up to. I remember playing euchre with him and he would bid without looking at his cards. If you were his partner you would be saying to yourself great here we go again. Sometimes you made it and sometimes not. It did teach me that the game was not just about winning or losing but enjoying being with people and getting along having fun.He never did anything to hurt people but he always said and did what he wanted. I am having a hard time remembering things right now but I will write more later. I just know he will be missed by many. I love you dad. Pam

Lois Bodziak

February 21, 2011

Dear Dad,
I hope you move on to your new life in heaven and don't worry about us anymore. I can only imagine what it was like to see Jesus' face and to meet your birth mom and dad. I will always love you and look forward to seeing you and mom again one day. Love, Lois

Mabel Mounts

February 13, 2011

Dear Family -- Dave was a cousin of my husband's (Thomas T. -Bud- Mounts. I had met Dave a few times and enjoyed listening to him as he talked with Bud. (Bud died 9 Dec. 2009). I remember when he came to Scottsdale, AZ to help bring Aunt Mary (his step-mother) from her retired living home there to his home in Fl;orida. We had dinner on Saturday night, went to an evening's entertainment of oxymorisms, then On Sunday morning he came to Mesa to go to church with us. It was good being able to visit with him during that time. I shall miss having Dave as one of my e-mail contacts. I am now living in a retirement community: Mabel L. Mounts, 733 Plantation Estates Dr. Apt. E-305, Matthews, N.C. 29105. This is near my two sons and their families. I would love hearing from any of you. My e-mail address is now: [email protected] My prayers for all of you. I know you all have many wonderful memories of Dave. God bless you all and give you the solace of His loving kindness. ~~Mabel~~

Luke & Sharon Dresser

February 10, 2011

We will always remember our time with Dave as the best of times. Our prayers and affection to his family.

jim schofield

February 10, 2011

My sincere condolences to the family. Dave was a long time friend at IRC UMC.

Mike & Shari Congleton

February 10, 2011

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

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