Gene Paul Thacker of 1701 Doc Brown Road died Monday, August 20, 2012 in First Health Moore Regional at the age of 81.
He was born in Pike County, Kentucky on June 21, 1931 to the late Appy Thacker and Octavia Smith Thacker. He was preceded in death by his son Paul Keith Thacker, his brother, Chester Thacker, and two sisters, Clara Thacker and Opal Thacker Bishop.
After marrying his high school sweetheart Billie Jean Chapman in 1953, he joined the U.S. Army and earned his jump wings with the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles. In 1963 he joined the U.S. Army's elite parachute team, the Golden Knights. In 1967, he received the Golden Knight of the Year award, the first time the award was ever given. In 1968 he left the team to serve a tour in Vietnam. While in Vietnam serving as an advisor he was engaged in a firefight and wounded. He returned to the United States and became the full-time manager of the Green Beret Sport Parachute Club. With his deep passion for the sport of skydiving, in 1970 he began building what is today P.K. Airpark. He is probably most noted for coaching and training more world champion skydivers than any other professional in the sport. He was a veteran in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was awarded many commendations over his 22 year career in the U.S. Army. Some of these include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Master Parachute Badge and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant in 1971.
Survivors include his wife, Billie Jean Thacker of Raeford; a daughter, Kimberly Sue Moore and her husband Mike of Pinebluff; two sons, Tony Thacker and his wife Kate of Raeford, and Tim Thacker of Raeford; a brother, Greg Thacker and his wife Brenda of Muscleshoals, Alabama; three half-brothers, Mike Thacker, Ronnie Thacker, and Gary Thacker all of Canada, Kentucky; three sisters, Mary Jane Deiranieh and her husband Akram of San Jose, California, Lois Reed of Belfry, Kentucky, and Gail Thacker of Belfry, Kentucky; six grandchildren, Deny Jo Nagule, Lindsay Rae Moore, Lauren Ansley Thacker, Taylor Nicole Moore, Morgan Leigh Thacker, and Allie Victoria Thacker; three great-grandchildren, Darren Nagule, Charlie McClendon, and Madison McClendon; one great-great-grandchild, Royce Michael Nagule; a special nephew, Steve Bishop of South Carolina; and his companion of 13 years, his Jack Russell, Otis.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 24, 2012 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave, Raeford, NC 28376.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012 in the Raeford Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to: National Skydiving Musem, 5401 Southpoint
Centre Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22407.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com