Gary Brown Thacker passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2026. He was born in Virginia on July 1, 1938. The only child of Elsie and Alexander Thacker. Gary grew up and spent most of his adult life in East Tennessee, eventually employed as a Civil Engineering Design Draftsman after returning in 1966 to the Knoxville area. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy where he served 4+ years. He was a member of St. Johns Episcopal Cathedral of Knoxville and active in several ministry programs offered there. After retirement in 2012, he also proudly served as a volunteer visitor for the Blount Memorial Hospital Hospice Program and was a founding member of the PJ Parkinsons Support Group of Blount County. Gary spent countless hours serving others suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, the same disease he was diagnosed with in 2008.

A man of many talents and passions, he was…builder of blue bird houses, photographer, hiker, loved nature, bird watching, planting flowers, The Smokey Mountains and Cades Cove, always had a story to tell and a slice of key lime pie to share, historian, avid reader, hitchhiker, master of puzzles, amazing listener, Jack of all Trades, great sense of humor, and lover of family and friends.

Surviving are his beloved wife and soulmate, Lois Fay Thacker; daughter, Dr. Jenny L. Thacker; stepchildren, Mark (Rene) Killion, Renae (Chuck) Widby, and Wesley (Lori) Killion; step-grandchildren, Krista & husband Mitch Smith, Matthew Spooner, Cory Killion and wife Jennifer, Chase Killion and wife Ashely, Melia and husband Collin Killough; step great grandchildren Kenzie, Olivia and Addie Smith, Savannah Killion, and Cooper & Walker Killion; numerous cousins from Virginia, Elizabeth Jane Brown, Larry (Erma) Brown, Patty Brown Combs (Howard) and James Christopher (Debra) Brown; special friend and neighbor, Paula Post.

A private Celebration of Life for immediate family will be planned at a later date.

The family request in lieu of flowers that donations be made to: PJ Parkinsons Support Group, www.pjparkinsons.org. A special thanks to Blount County Hospice Program.

Condolences may be shared at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.