Richard Perry THACKHAM

Richard Perry Thackham, 89, of Fenton and Brimley, MI, and a recent resident of Fond du Lac, WI, died peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. He was born on September 2, 1922 in Dollarville, MI, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, to the late William Ross and Dorothy Nell (Bodi) Thackham. Richard married Mary Loretta Mills of Ithaca, MI on July 19, 1957 at the Potter Park Methodist Church in Lansing, MI. Immediately following graduation from Newberry High School, Richard moved "down state" to work as an assistant dispatcher for the Michigan State Police Department in Lansing, MI. Prior to his enlistment in the military, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC and as a court stenographer for the War Production Board in Chicago, IL. Richard was a WWII veteran, and proudly served his country as a T/Sgt. in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 - 1946 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Following the war, he attended classes at the University of Miami in Florida and completed studies to earn his bachelor's degree in teaching from the Michigan State Normal College (EMU) in Ypsilanti, MI. While teaching full-time for the State of Michigan, he went on to complete graduate level courses at Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, and the University of Massachusetts. Richard taught English and Business at the Boys Training School in Lansing, MI, the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint, MI, and W.J. Maxey Boys Training School in Whitmore Lake, MI. In retirement, Richard returned with Mary to the U.P., where he began writing a memoir for his six grandchildren in which he shared fascinating stories of life in the Newberry area during the early 1930s. Following the couples' move to Fond du Lac, WI, Richard completed this work and had published, "A Company House a boy's memories of growing UP in Michigan's Upper Peninsula." In his twilight years, Richard, a lifetime Christian man, delighted in return trips to the U.P. and felt most at peace there surrounded by God's unspoiled landscape. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary; four children, Lori (Michael) Hunt-Hudon of Otsego, MI, Brigitte (Dean) Johnson of Fond du Lac, WI, Kathleen (Winifred Sartoris) Thackham of Milwaukee, WI, Richard Thackham of Frankenmuth, MI, and dear former daughter-in-law, Dana Thackham of Walled Lake, MI; six grandchildren, Jonathan Hunt, Rachel Johnson (Tony) Fox, Erik (Becca) Johnson, Kirk Johnson, Hughston and Hunter Thackham; two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Haley Fox; two brothers, Ernest Thackham of Lilliwaup, WA, and Gerald Thackham of Brooksville, FL; three sisters, Carol Thackham of Bradenton, FL, Laura Nebel and Lois Santer of Philadelphia, PA; a sister-in-law, Betty (Ted) Woods of Sumner, MI; many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, William Thackham. Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Home in Fenton, MI, on Thursday, October 6, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will also be held at Sharp Funeral Home on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 11 a.m. followed by a full military honors service at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, WI - (920) 906-1000.

Visitation

Thursday, October 6, 2011 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Fenton Chapel
1000 Silver Lake Road Fenton 48430, United States

Funeral Service

Friday, October 7, 2011 11:00 AM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Fenton Chapel
1000 Silver Lake Road Fenton 48430, United States