James Farrell Thatcher

He was born on July 7, 1937, in Logan, Utah, to Hyrum B. and Eurilda Thatcher.

James served in the U.S. Navy for two tours of duty, from 1955-1961. He served aboard the U.S.S. Dixie, the U.S.S. Currier, and the U.S.S. Rogers in the engineering and gunnery divisions. He served three years overseas in Japan, China, and the Philippines.

He met his wife, Nyla Ensminger, in San Diego on his last day of enlisted service. He was to travel back to his home state of Utah, but after meeting her, he decided to stay in San Diego. They married on July 9, 1962, making their home there and raising four children. James and Nyla moved to Clovis, Calif., in 2004 to be closer to family.

James worked for the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Pinkerton Agency as a security guard after his military service. He went back to school in the 70s and earned an Associates of Science degree in Administration of Justice/Corrections from Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, Calif., in 1980. Education was important to him and he passed that on to his children.

In his earlier years he enjoyed walking, the ocean, and leather working. In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his family...he and his wife loved any family event. He chronicled these events with his trusty disposable camera that could be found in all of his jacket pockets. While he was often quiet at these functions, it was obvious he enjoyed them and soaked them in, talking with his wife afterward about all everyone was up to.

He loved trips to the zoo and hummingbirds at his feeder because he had a soft spot for animals (sometimes more than people!). His wife Nyla was his rock and he missed her so much when she left this life for heaven. Aides at the VA Home where he lived said he often slept with his “Nyla Book,” a book of photos of mom. His quiet ways, goofy nature at times, and deep and abiding love for office supplies will be remembered by his children and grandchildren and cause them to smile in memory whenever they think of him.

James’ family would like to thank the Fresno Veteran’s Home staff and community for their friendship, compassion, and excellent care for James over the past five years.

He is survived by his four children, Jo Ann and her husband Anthony, and their children Michael and Jordan of Coppell, Texas; Janice and her husband Bruce of Loveland, Colo.; Kenneth of Orange County, Calif.; and Tracy and her husband George, and their children Jenna and Steven of Fresno, Calif.; and his two children from a previous marriage, Robert J. Hansen and Randahl G. Hansen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will take place at Whitehurst Funeral Home and Chapel, Fresno, Calif. and burial will take place at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, Calif.