Kenny Thacker

Kenny Thacker, 66, of Blountville, TN went to his heavenly home on January 20, 2016 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital.  Born in Kingsport, TN, he was a son of the late Wilburn (Pie) Thacker and Thelma Faye Thacker of Yuma, Gate City, VA.

As a youth he lived in Harlan, KY for several years attending Cawood High School where he was a member of the band.  He lived for a while with Principal Jones and his wife Jenny and children Barbara, Mary, and Fred.  He developed a “work ethic” to provide for his family at an early age as all who knew him know well.  He moved back to TN in 1967 and graduated from Church Hill High School.  He joined Kingsport Army Reserves in 1968 in the 844th Engineering Division.  Kenny began work at Eastman Chemical in 1968 in the Tenite Division Building 190 where he met his wife of near 49 years, Linda Talley, who was the secretary in Building 190.  Linda and Kenny began Tri-Cities Refinery in 1979 and were later joined by son Wayne and later son Johnathan.  He made numerous friends over the years working in this business.  He also joined Old Dominion Freight Lines at White Pine, TN in 2001 where he was driving at the time of his sudden death.  He made several friends who were his partners while driving for this company including John Barron, Chris Newman and Tom Whitaker.  He had always said he never wanted to hurt anyone with his huge truck and he never did.

Kenny loved his two sons and family dearly, though he was often working away from them.  He often helped others in ways people never knew.  He and his wife were members of Bethel View Baptist Church in Blountville, TN.  His favorite event was to serve at the Women’s Ministry Luncheon in October, which he did for several years.  He was an avid fan of Kentucky basketball and tried never to miss a game.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Talley Thacker; sons, Kenneth Wayne Thacker and wife Sandra Tomlinson Thacker, and Johnathan Donald Thacker and Lisa Riddle; grandchildren, Chelsea Kay Thacker and Ashley Marie Thacker of Blountville, and Devin and Rain Riddle of Johnson City, TN; beloved sister, Phyllis Ann Horton of Gate City, VA; brothers, Ralph Thacker and wife Dolores Thacker of Church Hill, TN, and George R. Thacker and wife Nannie Mae of Gate City, VA; brother-in-law and good friend, Ben Talley of Blountville, TN, his son, David Talley and daughter, Lea Ann Rose and husband Doug; and sister-in-law, Angie Talley Vieira and husband David of Fairfax, VA and children, Debbie, Rachel and Bella.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 25, 2015 from 12:00 until 2:00 PM at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in Bristol, TN.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Andy Woods and Pastor Mike Pope officiating.  A graveside service will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, TN.  Honorary pallbearers will be David Vieira, David Talley, Doug Rose, Ben Talley, Freddie Goodson, and Scott Lambert.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel View Baptist Church, 156 Mapleview Drive, Bristol, TN  37620, or Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1400 Southside Avenue, Bristol, TN  37620.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Arrangements especially for Mr. Thacker and his family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.