Douglas J. Thatcher

Douglas J. Thatcher of Poinciana, Florida passed away on August 15, 2025. He was 70. He was born on August 12, 1955, in Columbus, Ohio to Robert and Carolyn Gallogly Thatcher and graduated from Westerville High School, where he was on the marching band all 4 years, in fact he was a member of the Westerville Band for 26 years, playing clarinet. He continued his studies at both Ohio Valley University in W. Viriginia where he was a walk on player for their basketball team, as well as being a member of their A Capella Chorus and Franklin University in Ohio. While in Ohio he was employed for 19 years with Pepsi Co., starting as a driver and working up to the finance department where he did product ordering and corporate collections. He also worked for Butler Animal Pharmaceuticals and was a member of Spring Road Church of Christ. Doug was a coach for Whitehall Little league and a member and served as president of the Ohio State Side Liners Booster Club, where he traveled all over the US with them.

He moved from Ohio in 2000 to Bordentown, New Jersey, where he worked for Peterson Educational Publishing and attended Tabernacle Church of Christ. While living in New Jersey Doug loved to travel by train to New York City, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Douglas moved to Florida from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey in August of 2012. While first moving to Florida Douglas was a member of the Mt. Dora Church of Christ and later became a member of Central Church of Christ in Haines City, Florida. While living in Solivita, Douglas was an active member of the Republican Club, the New Jersey Club and the Gun Club. Douglas was an usher for Ohio State Stadium for their football games for 38 years, he loved to attend or just watch sporting events. He had a love for traveling and all things Disney, he relished all his trips to the parks. Douglas also was fond of book collecting, especially those autographed by the authors and was a lifetime member of the NRA.

Douglas was predeceased by his mother, Carolyn and is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Leslie D. Thatcher; father, Robert Thatcher; daughter, Ashleigh; brothers, Keith Thatcher and Jeff "Scott" Thatcher, both of Westerville, Ohio and sister, Cheryl Evans, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10 am until the funeral at 11 am at Central Church of Christ. Douglas's final resting place will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City, Florida.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: International Niemann Pick Disease Alliance - JustGiving

or American Heart Association | To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives