I miss your crooked smile, your funny faces, your funny quips comments and jokes. I will think of you every time I hear a Johhny cash song. I will go fishing and have a coors light.  My morning walks will never be the same but I will breathe in the fresh air and think of you, and all that you taught me, all the wonderful moments and memories, and how lucky I am to have you for my Dad.  You will forever live in my heart.

I wanted to share this memory. Growing up with my friends, susi, Kathy, berenda, Larry jr. Larry coached his daughters softball team, and Larry was our coach. He let me play first base even though I couldn't play to save my life, but he let me stay at first and Susi pitched and played short stop or 2nd base. One time up to bat I swung at every ball even though, it was not over the plate, I remember swinging like a nut job Larry pulled me aside discreetly and said, you don't need to start off swinging let a couple go by and see where it lands,  He was right, I got walked. He was a great coach. His daughter Kathy could throw a mean ball she played on another league.  I always thought if she could have a great coach like her dad, maybe he could teach me, well I didn't have it however he was always fair,  He was a great dad, great coach even tho I had no talent, he believed in me. RIP Larry you will be missed. Thank you Cyndy

This was at Dad's 84th birthday party at Larry and Edna's house

Another photo I found, taken in the late 90's at Larry and Edna's home.  I love Larry's smile in this photo. I wish I could read what his T Shirt says.

I was blessed with two wonderful brothers.  I loved Larry's sense of humor and his caring ways.  We didn't see each other often when we were growing up and I always wish we had.  But we reunited in 1994, my older brother put together a reunion for all of us, and we had a wonderful time in Bullhead, Az.  From that point on we had get togethers often and always were part of each other's lives.  That reunion met so much to Dad.  Larry always reminded me of Dad in so many ways.  RIP my dear brother, until we meet again.  Love you so much, your sister Sharon

He always taught us grandkids and great-grandkids how to ride around and putz around.

Teaching, playing, and helping are a few of the traits I'll remember as being part of my Papa's legacy. Dress-up days with bolo ties for him and hair bows for me, jewelry making with our own tumbled rocks so he could give Nana something pretty and heartfelt, softball games with everyone we loved and the pizza parties after, learning proper bicycling, rules of the road, hand signals and riding etiquette at Mile Square Park, the pier trips to Redondo for pearls, road trips to Bullhead and Mojave in the Nano van for fishing and target practice, and being a roadside angel to those in need are forever ingrained in my childhood heart. I had the best early years probably of any kid I could think of and Papa was the voice of reason and the protective grandparent that made that happen. After I was moved away, I relished every visit he and Nana made and every trip I could take with my kids to see them. Now I teach and share the love I learned when I was young. As long as Papa is in my heart, forever, I'll never grow up, and I'll continue to teach my kids the same love and joy in life.

My father was an amazing man. He was a young father and a young grandfather.  He worked hard for his family. The things he learned in work, and life he used to help his family. When I was young he was an inhalation therapist. My brother had severe asthma and my father would set up an oxygen tent per the doctors orders. My parents would set up all night making sure my brother was taken care of. He was a lab technician and when my sister was ill with another UTI he could let the doctor know how bad it was so she could be prescribed medication. He coached our girls softball team for many years. He created many beautiful hand crafted items. He had his grandchildren help him with his crafts. All of us do some kind of crafts because of him.  Dad we will take care of mom and share our memories of you forever. Love you Berenda

My grandfather taught me many lessons about what a good man should be. He taught me that a man’s family should always be his first priority, and that a man’s wife deserves the same level of affection and attention after 60 years as he gave her in the first 6 months. It is because of my grandfather that I know, to never place pride before principle and that a man’s family is his greatest strength. It saddens me deeply that my children didn’t get you in their lives for as long as I did, but your memory and lessons will continue on through me. I will always treasure the memories that I have of you, from drinking my first beer with you, while we were camping my sophomore year, to you coming to my sporting events when nobody could. You taught me about rocks and you showed me how to play chess. I will always love and miss you pops and I will forever regret lost time, but I know that we will see each other again when I too am called home.

OBITUARY

Larry Nelson Thacker Sr.

July 30, 1942 – December 28, 2024

Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park & Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services