<< Go Back To Obituaries

Jay R. Thacker

Aug. 15, 1941 - May 16, 2021

Date of Service: May 24, 2021

Watch the Webcast

PAUL – Jay R. Thacker, age 79, of Paul, returned to live with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, May 16, 2021, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born August 15, 1941, in Daniels, Utah, to Murray Durrant and Larna Anderson Thacker; he was the third of six children. Jay learned what hard work was at a very young age. At six years old, he was helping milk the cows on his Grandpa Anderson’s farm, and, as he grew older and stronger, summers were spent cutting and hauling hay. After the Great Depression, his parents didn’t have money for vacations, so Jay enjoyed spending some of his summer at the sawmill where his father, grandfather, and uncles worked. He played football, basketball, and was very involved with the FFA during his high school years.

In 1960, Jay married his forever love, Valerie Jones. Two months later he started classes at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. After a semester, he took a job with his uncle on a ranch in Francis, Utah. The day after they moved to the ranch, the first of eight children was born. Jay enjoyed ranching and he loved working with the horses, but he found a better paying job in Midway, Utah. He went to work at Hecla Mine, worked many hours overtime, and was able to buy him and Valerie their first home. This was the beginning of many years of mine work and too many cave-ins, injuries, and close calls on his life. For a time, he lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, mining underground and testing bombs at Area 51.

In 1973, Jay and Valerie were able to purchase farm ground and build a new home in Paul, Idaho. They lived there for the next 46 years. He had a strong work ethic and instilled that in his children, having them help on the farm with planting crops, moving water, hauling rock, repairing equipment, and harvesting. He also taught his boys to hunt and fish and loved taking a break from farming and heading to the mountains with them. Anyone who knew Jay knows that he worked hard until the end. There were few people who met him that didn’t grow to love him or appreciate his willingness to jump in and help wherever it was needed. After he retired, he still felt he had to put in a 12-hour day and he spent many hours working in his yard or in the shop.

Jay and Valerie were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 21, 1975. He held many callings within the Church and serving as a member of the stake high council was such an honor and a blessing to him. He also loved working in the temple with Valerie and, before he passed, he was looking forward to going back to continue that work.

Jay is survived by his wife of 60 years, Valerie; his older sister, Joyce Murphy; his younger brothers, Neil, Phil, and Andy; seven children, Bruce (Monica), Lisa (Kerry) Anderson, Paul (Jennie), Teresa Thacker (Jake Cranney), Justin (Valerie), Elizabeth (Jade) Schenk, and Jennifer (Brett) Boysen; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Thacker; 34 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; an older brother, Roy; his son, Shawn; and a granddaughter, Angela.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Paul Stake Center, located at 424 W. Ellis St., in Paul. Burial will follow at Paul Cemetery.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available at the following link: https://youtu.be/BBh007NwoH8.

Friends and family will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and Monday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Condolences for Jay R. Thacker

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Kirk Hunt:

So sad to hear of Jay’s passing. What a great man. I was blessed to be able to spend time with him as he served in Young men’s. Fond memories of camping trips at Copper Basin and riding horses out at the farm. My life is better for having known and spent time with your husband, father, and grandpa. Your family is in our prayers.

From Dan Egbert :

I have so many great memories of Jay, from farming to riding horses in the mountains. Fantastic man and wonderful example.

From Kirk Hunt:

From Alan Maxwell:

I knew Jay as a fisherman, and also served with him in the Temple. Jay was always helpful and dependable. Jay will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with Valerie and family.

From Pat Malone :

Loved working with Jay at the Twin Falls Temple. He was such a great man!!

From Alan Maxwell:

I knew Jay as a fisherman, and also served with him in the Temple. Jay was always helpful and dependable. Jay will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with Valerie and family.

From Rodger and Ruth Woodward :

Our families have been connected ever since you moved to Paul. We have always appreciated the friendship we shared and connections through church callings. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you work through this tender time.

From Wayne & Joyce Lloyd:

So sorry to hear of Jays passing. Our sincere condolences to VALERIE AND FAMILY. Enjoyed-your friendship while you lived here in the Heber Valley.

From Doug Wright:

So sorry for your families loss. I will be forever grateful that I got to talk with Jay down at Dierkes when you were gathered there with your family recently. I will remember his kind help at the Temple with this then Rookie.

From Linda G Epperson Webb:

I was shocked to learn of Jay’s passing. My sincere condolences to you Valerie and your family. May all the beautiful memories you have made together sustain you in your time of need.

From Debra Anderson:

I’m glad I got the time to visit with Jay and Valerie a few years ago at another cousins funeral. I hadn’t seen them for years. My sincere condolences to Valerie and family

From Trevor Stapelman:

Very saddened to hear of Jay's passing. He was always such a soft spoken person, and I always knew that he was interested in whatever I had to talk to him about. He was a powerful example to me and he will be greatly missed.

From Heber and Rosalie Kirkland:

It was a real privilege to serve with the Thackers in the Twin Falls Temple. There are no kinder and caring people and we express our sympathy and love to Valerie and family.

From Cindy Downs :

Teresa, I did not know your dad but, he helped raise a kindhearted, caring, respectful daughter so, he must have been quite a guy. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your dad. I will keep you and your family close in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I pray that you feel God’s care and love. Hope to see you in September. But, until then, consider yourself hugged!

From Jeff Harper:

I remember when the Thackers moved to our neighborhood. They were always the best neighbors and willing to help anyone who needed help. Jay was a person with no motives other than to be good and do good.

From Dana Bibby:

I am so sorry for your loss I loved going to their house in midway and all of us kids would go climbing lots and lots of memories

Condolence Form

Leave a Condolence or Memory:

Your Name:

Email (optional):

A real person knows the answer: 10 plus 4 =

*Note: Comments submitted after business hours will be reviewed and posted the following business day by funeral home staff.