Lt. Colonel Allie Alfred Thacker passed away on October 10, 2013. He was not only our family hero, but a true American hero. A member of "the greatest generation', he was born on November 10, 1920 to Trudie Williams Thacker and George Lester Thacker of Pear Valley, Tx. He graduated from Lohn High School where he excelled in basketball, football, and track. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in 1941. During World War II, he flew 35 missions out of Guam, and was the first to complete those 35 missions. He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Victory medal as well as other medals throughout his career. The Silver Star was given when the formation that he led was attacked by 40 enemy fighters. His aircraft sustained 73 holes caused by 30 caliber and 20 mm bullets. Two of the other aircraft had fire breakout on their aircraft, and Al, seeing them defenseless, left the safety of his formation to draw the enemy fighters away from the other aircraft. This gave the crew members of the other aircraft a chance to bail out, and this action saved their lives.

Later, while in the service, he was stationed in Appalachicola, Florida where he met and married Ruth Cesaroni. Al retired from the military in 1967 and moved to the Rio Grande Valley where he worked as a pilot for Louisiana Strawberry Produce Company until he retired permanently. He moved to the Lake Jackson area to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Retirement allowed him the pleasure of pursuing his passion for golf where he obtained several "holes in one" while in his eighties. In 2010 he was Grand Marshall of the Veterans Day Parade and a honoree as a Brazoria County Home Town Hero in 2011.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, George and Trudy Thacker, brothers, Elzo, Arvil, Durwood, Bowlie, Van Lester and daughter, Patricia.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Lake Jackson, sons Allie Jr.(Martha) of Van Vleck, Tx, Gary (Chu), of San Antonio, Tx, Charles (Judy), David (Susie),both of Lake Jackson, Tx and daughter Mary Miller (Joe) of Pearland, Tx. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Visitation and viewing will be held on Saturday, October 13th at 8:30 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Lake Jackson. A funeral mass will be held immediately following the visitation at 9:30.

His body will be interred next to his daughter in Appalachicola.

In lieu of flower, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

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