Aug. 26, 1942-June 26, 2003

ROSEBURG – Jim L. Thacker, 60, a former Milton-Freewater resident, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at his home in Roseburg.

A gathering of family and friends to share memories will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Moose Lodge, 3031 W. Harvard Ave., in Roseburg. Disposition was by cremation.

Mr. Thacker was born Aug. 26, 1942, at Pendleton to Chester and Beryl Hayes Thacker.

He joined the Oregon National Guard in 1960, right after high school, and discovered a love of cooking while in basic training at Fort Ord, Calif.

On Aug. 4, 1962, he married Jean Parsons at Milton- Freewater.

Mr. Thacker began running movie projectors at Milton-Freewater under his father’s guidance and continued ownership of a four- generation family movie theater at Enterprise.

In 1967, while at Enterprise, he became a game enforcement officer and fish liberator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The family moved to Roseburg in 1981.

Mr. Thacker was with ODFW working as a liberator coordinator for 31 years until his retirement in 1998. After retirement he operated J&J Pilot Services.

He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Roseburg Lodge 1037 and former member of Roseburg Elks Lodge 326, where he was exalted ruler in 1988-89.

He excelled as a cook who enjoyed feeding large groups at the lodge and friends at his home. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife, at home; son, Randy Thacker of Roseburg; father, Chester Thacker of Milton-Freewater; sisters and brothers, Sharon Kloepper of Hermiston, Duane Thacker and Rocky Thacker, both of Weston, Suzy Morris of Milton- Freewater and Alan Thacker of Pendleton; and one grand-daughter. His mother died in 1982.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy House, 3035 Laurel Springs Drive, Roseburg.

Long & Shukle Memorial Chapel, 809 S.E. Pine St., Roseburg, OR 97470 is in charge of arrangements.