James Roy Thacker

Funeral Services at First Baptist Church, Walters, Friday, February 2, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., Rev. Jay Driskill officiating with burial in the Walters Cemetery under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.

James Roy Thacker was born to Clinton and Mary Lydia (Berry) Thacker on October 22, 1928 on a farm near Walters, OK and departed life in Lawton, OK on January 29, 2018 at the age of 89 years, 3 months and 7 days.

James grew up at Walters, graduating from WHS in 1948, and soon went to work for REC. He married Betty Jo Mallow on March 19, 1949 at Wichita Falls, TX and to the union 2 sons were born. In 1950 he went to work for McLaughlin Oil and then for Kewanee. While with Kewanee the family transferred to McLean, TX where they lived from 1958 to 1969, transferring to Shidler, OK with Gulf which eventually became Chevron. He retired in 1986 and he and Betty returned to Walters.

Through the years he was active with youth as a Boy Scouts and Royal Ambassador Leader. He served as a Sunday School teacher and was ordained as a Deacon at First Baptist Church, Shidler and has since served in both capacities at First Baptist Church, Walters. He also served on the City of Walters Zoning Committee and the Cemetery Board. James enjoyed playing sports in high school and was an avid OU Fan. He also enjoyed fishing lakes and running trotline in the river. When the boys were young they spent a week every summer with family at Lake Texoma. After retiring, he and Betty enjoyed a month every summer at Fun Valley/South Fork, Colorado and a trip to Branson every year.

Betty preceded James in death on November 21, 1998. He later married Mary Thomas in February of 2004 and they have enjoyed each other’s company over the past 14 years.

He was also preceded by his parents, Clinton Thacker and Mary Wright; his brother, Billy Thacker; and his sister, Doris Taylor.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Thacker of Lawton, OK; 2 sons, Steve Thacker of Edmond, OK and Brent Thacker of San Antonio, TX; 3 grandchildren and spouses, Todd Thacker and Erica of Nixa, MO, Kyle Thacker and Megan of Oklahoma City, Julie Bloodworth and Dakota of Wichita Falls, TX; 2 great grandchildren, Cole Thacker and Beau Thacker; other relatives and friends.