John Gaar Thacker

 John Gaar Thacker, 66, of Utica, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was born July 17, 1957, a son of the late Ralph W. and Dorothy Baird Thacker. Mr. Thacker graduated from Owensboro High School in 1975 and from Murray State University in 1979 with a degree in political science. In 1982 he earned a juris doctorate degree from the University of Louisville School of Law. His master’s degree in tax was earned at Southern Methodist University in 1983.

Mr. Thacker joined the law firm of Thacker, Bickel, Wetzel, and Hodskins in 1983, where he later became a partner and was associated with the firm until 2014. He joined Independence Bank as corporate counsel in 2014, where he also served on the corporate board and the Daviess County board.

Mr. Thacker was a member of First Baptist Church. His commitments there included serving as the Chairman of the Deacons, a member of the finance committee and the personnel committee. He was a Sunday School teacher for most of his adult life. He served his church wherever he was called.

Mr. Thacker enjoyed the outdoors. Hunting and fishing, bird watching, and daily walks on the family farm were important parts of his life. He loved his life as a gentleman farmer above all his other hobbies. While he owned tractors, he never raised a crop. Rather, he smiled continuously as he used them to create wildlife areas of food, trees, and terrain for the birds and animals on the farm. He kept a particularly close eye on how many bluebirds had fledged in a summer. He and Laurie spent most warm evenings driving the paths he had forged through the woods on their farm, enjoying the wildlife.

John Thacker was an extremely caring individual. He valued his relationship with Christ above all else, with those of his family and friends next. He often said “Life and joy are about relationships. That is all that really is important.”

His children were always in his heart. He was a good provider, leader, and encourager to them and their families. His absence will leave a big empty place in many hearts.

Those who remain to honor his memory include Laurie Thacker, his wife of 37 years: his daughters Frances Horner and her husband Nate, of Owensboro and Margaret Crowley and her husband Wade, of Philpot;  his grandson Thacker Horner; his step-grandson Preston Stone-Horner; his brothers, Dr. Ralph Thacker and his wife Diane of Livermore and Tracy Thacker and his wife Debra, of Owensboro; his sister, Susan St. Germain of Salem, New Hampshire; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mr. Thacker will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and from 9:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Forward Together for His Glory at First Baptist Church.

Memories and messages of condolence for the family of Mr. John Thacker may be shared at www.glenncares.com.