Afton Marriott Thacker, 96, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Heavenly Father on October 7, 2011 of causes incident to age. He lived a full life in those ninety six years.

Born in Daniel, Utah on July 6, 1915 to John and Eliza Ann Winterton Thacker. He often spoke of his days on the farm using a wagon and team of horses to do the work, playing and doing chores with his seven brothers and four sisters.

He attended elementary school in Daniel, Utah and graduated from Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah, where he was active in musicals and plays.

He married his sweetheart Virginia Van Wagoner on December 11, 1936 and they raised five children in Heber Valley. They are a forever family solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.

Afton served his country in World War 11 in the United States Navy. He loved his country and was very patriotic.

His passion was being a carpenter and building with wood and he was a perfectionist at it. He worked for Harmon Construction Company in Salt Lake City, Utah for forty-five years until he retired. He always had a strong hammer grip until the day he died.

Afton was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in many capacities, but his favorite was in the music department serving as a chorister for the stake and ward choirs, singing in quartets and solos. Afton and Virginia harmonized at many civic events and sang at many funerals in the Valley.

He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, being Santa's helper, and taking his daily rides through the valley that he loved. His yard and flowers were a showplace in Heber Valley. He would always say to his friends and acquaintances "Save me a dance."

When Virginia died from a battle with cancer he remarried Mary Sue Stitley, from Maryland, on November 21, 1980 and they enjoyed twenty-six years together singing, gardening and traveling until her death in 2006.

Survived by: John (Ann) Clyde of Highland, Richard (Carol) Bonner of Heber City, Brent (Mary) Kelly of Midway, Dave (Joy) Hipp of Brigham City, and Sandra Thacker, wife of the late Larry Thacker, Payson, Utah, Mike (Yvonne) Stitley of Ivins, Utah, and Joe Stitley of Arizona. Twenty-four grandchildren, seventy great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by Virginia (wife), Mary Sue (wife), Larry (son), Krissy Clyde (granddaughter), parents, and eleven brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 in the Heber City Seventh Ward Building, 244 Easy 400 South, Heber City, Utah. Friends may visit with the family at a viewing held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Olpin-Hoopes Funeral Home, 288 North Main Street, Heber City, Utah, and Wednesday at the church from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to the services.
Interment: Charleston Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News on October 9, 2011.