Hugh Thacker

Hugh Albie Thacker (age 76) of Panama City, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025.

Hugh was born on January 14, 1949, to William Carter Thacker and Geraldine Farrar (Thomas) Thacker in Tifton, Georgia. He will be remembered as the most generous, kind, and loving man, partner, father, brother, and friend. His genuinely loving nature, open heart, and playful humor will remain his true legacy. Although, it may be his prowess with a fishing pole or his long-standing love of Florida State football that we remember fondly, it is his deep love for his family and friends that we will truly miss.

After graduation from Evans High School in Orlando, Florida, Hugh married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth, and welcomed his daughter, Charissa LaBeth before being drafted into the Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. Returning to the States, his first duty station was at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL. Like many before him, he fell in love with Bay County, fishing the Gulf of Mexico, and his second wife of 37 years, Patricia. After a decorated 22-year military career, they retired in Bay County as a Master Sergeant in 1989.

As a civilian, he continued his education, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from Florida State University, Panama City. With his distinguished education and his natural ability to connect with people, Hugh enjoyed a successful second career as a therapist and urgent care counselor at Family Life Management. After a well-deserved final retirement, Hugh and Pat created a life of gardening, fishing, football, and cooking, always with an open door for family and friends to sit a spell on their welcoming back porch.

After becoming a widower, Hugh found great companionship again with his last love, Shirley Yohn. They filled the days growing peppers and tomatoes to donate to the Panama City Police Department, taking in those beautiful PCB sunsets on the beach, and singing along to their classic rock favorites -- and of course FSU Football!

His was a life well lived, a reflection not of his worldly belongings, but of the peace and joy he brought to the world and to all who knew him. He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.

Hugh was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Thacker; stepson, Robert Wheaton; brother Eldon Thacker; in-laws Carol Thacker, Joe Moore, Johnnie Phillips, Jenny Thacker; nephew, Daniel Phillips, and his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Charissa Thacker; fiancé , Shirley Yohn; sister, Theo Moore; brother, Carter Thacker; in-laws Bill Posey (Debra), and Sherry Phillips. Nieces: Christa Thacker (Jason); Kelly Thacker-Bobalik (Andrew); Rebecca Sweeny; Robyn Parnell; Jennifer Green (John). Nephews: Mitchell Moore (Suzanne); Max Moore (Rosalba); Steven Phillips (Sue); Jason Posey (Stacey); Jamie Posey. Great nieces and nephews: Anna Oaks (Brandon); Danielle Todd (Dillon); and Kaylee Green. Jason, Daniel, Jeannie Moore and Brandon and Parker Parnell.

A memorial service will take place at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Saturday, October 18th. Friends and family are invited to gather beginning at 5pm with a service at 6pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association or Keep Florida Wild Land Conservation. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed online at www.kentforestlawn.com.