John Thatcher
John C. Thatcher III, 80, of Hixson, Tennessee, died of cancer at his home on Thursday, September 3.
He was born Jan. 6, 1935 in Soddy, TN, to the late Ola Sowder Thatcher and John C. Thatcher Jr.
John was a lifetime member of Soddy United Methodist Church and had been attending Apison United Methodist Church for the last three years. He was a retired City of Chattanooga Police Department Detective Badge 072, a retired Hamilton County court officer, and later a licensed bondsman. While he was a detective, he was assigned to the protection of several performers and individuals such as Loretta Lynn, Jimmy Hoffa, Johnny and June Carter Cash, and George Wallace. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Rock City Lodge 22 and Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents, and a supporter of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington. D.C.
John was an avid HAM amateur radio operator, call sign formerly KJ4DA, now W4DIJ. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League and he enjoyed talking and gathering with other HAM operators across the United States. He spent his life enjoying boating on the Tennessee River, swimming in Soddy Lake, and camping at Big Soddy. John spent many hours sitting on the bank of the river talking with his dear grandfather, John C. Thatcher Sr.
He was a member of the Soddy Daisy High School class of 1953 where he played football and basketball. He served in the U.S. Army in 1953. John had a remarkable memory, a wonderful sense of humor, and enjoyed telling stories about past events and places. John’s firm beliefs were that you always keep your word and always arrive on time.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Brannon Thatcher; his precious daughter, Sabrina Thatcher; and his cousins, Bill Card and Warren Card, Soddy Daisy.
Survivors include his wife, Debra O. Miller, Hixson; son, John L. (Melanie) Thatcher, grandsons, John L. (Amanda) Thatcher Jr., and Ryan Thatcher, and his great-granddaughter, Isabella Grace Thatcher, who was such a blessing from God to him, all from Calhoun, GA; former daughter-in-law, Terri McCoy, of Ooltewah; and cousin, Patsy Card (Noel) Irwin, Soddy Daisy.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 4 p.m., in the chapel of Hamilton Funeral Home in Hixson, with Reverend Debbie Stokes officiating. His family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2–4 p.m. prior to the service.
In keeping with John’s wishes of no flowers, please send donations to St. Jude’s Children’s
Research Hospital at 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online via www.stjude.org/donatenow, or to a charity of your choice.
Debra and son, John, are so thankful for many people for all of the prayers, visits, calls, support, hugs, messages, love, and words of encouragement that were received during John’s illness. They are truly a blessing at this time.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343, 423 531-3975.