Brian Keith Thacker

WILMINGTON, DE-Brian Keith Thacker went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 3, 2014, in Wilmington, Delaware. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 9, at his home church, Bellaire Baptist Church, 1210 Bellaire Blvd. in Bossier City, Louisiana. Officiating will be Dr. Randy Harper, assisted by Reverend Jeff Harper. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park in Haughton. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, August 8, from 5 - 8 p.m. in the Worship Center of Bellaire Baptist Church.

Brian was born into an Air Force family on December 29, 1963, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Most of his formative years were spent at Edwards AFB in California, moving to England as he started high school. He attended RAF Croughton High School in England for 3 years, and when the family was transferred to Barksdale AFB, he finished high school at Parkway, graduating in 1982. Following graduation, he attended Bossier Parish Community College.

In 1998, Brian moved to Pennsylvania to accept a job. He met his wife Cheryl while there and moved to Wilmington, Delaware. They were married in May 2001. When he married Cheryl, he received an added blessing of three wonderful stepsons, Joel, Philip and Justin. At the time of his death, he was employed by Driveline Retail as a Project Manager.

Brian grew up hunting and fishing with his Dad, and he loved doing those things again when he visited Louisiana. He looked big and imposing but anyone who knew him knew he was a marshmallow with a big heart and an amazing sense of humor. His sister's best memory was what a protective big brother he was. His other interests included watching baseball and hockey and documentaries on the History & Military Channels. He also loved darts and bowling, always going for that elusive 300 game even though he rolled a 299!

Brian loved the Lord and he, Cheryl and the boys were active members of First Baptist Church in Aston, Pennsylvania, for years where Brian served in the prison ministry. They also assisted with its affiliate New Beginnings Church.

Brian was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herman & Harriet Dorman of Phoenix, Arizona, and W. C. & Geraldine Thacker of Barwick, Georgia.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cheryl and stepsons, Joel, Philip and Justin Mastroeni all of Wilmington, DE; his parents Bill (Carter) & Carol Thacker of Bossier City, LA; his sister Christa Thacker and her husband, Jason Myers, of Indianapolis, IN, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Honoring Brian as pallbearers will be Jason Myers, Joel & Justin Mastroeni, Hal Curley, Mike Zeigler, David Bartholomew, Gary Perdue, Mark Peck and Richard Reuter.

Many thoughts and prayers are coming from Cheryl's family throughout the East Coast and their friends in Wilmington, where there will be a memorial for Brian at a later date. Also, a special thanks to the Bellaire Baptist Church family for their prayers, love and support.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.