Obituary of Roger Thacker

<b>Obituary</b> Roger Thacker, 71, of Versailles, Kentucky, passed away Monday, July 18, 2011, surrounded by the love of his wife and daughter at Hospice of the Bluegrass-St. Joseph Hospital after a courageous battle against Parkinson's disease. He lived a full life hallmarked by many great adventures and accomplishments. Born in London, England, Mr. Thacker was brought to the United States by The Ohio State University to assume management of The OSU Animal Research Services and Operations. After a decade at OSU, he accepted the position of Research Animal Care Manager at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. In 1975, he was offered the position of Director of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, Washington. He left Northwest Trek to accept the position of Manager of Research Animal Care Services at the University of Kentucky, where he remained until his retirement. With life-long interests in conservation and agriculture, Mr. Thacker held numerous offices with conservation and agricultural organizations including the North American Falconers Association (President), the North American Peregrine Foundation, the North American Wolf Society, American Sheep Industry, North American Woolgrowers Association and the Kentucky Woolgrowers Association. He was instrumental and nationally respected for his work initiating recovery efforts that ultimately brought the Peregrine Falcon back from threatened extinction due to DDT exposure. Mr. Thacker was a member of St. Andrews Anglican Church in Versailles, and is survived by his wife, Linda Thacker of Versailles; daughter Devon Thacker Thomas (Kevin) of Denver, Colorado; son Paul Thacker of England, stepsons Phillip Osborne (Dawn) of Lexington, KY, Paul Osborne (Jennifer) of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Daniel Osborne (Keiko) of Murrieta, California; eleven step-grandchildren; and sister, Rosemary Emmett of England. He was preceded in death by a son, David Thacker, London, England, and by his mother and father, Evelyn and George Thacker, Bournemouth, England. Floral expressions of sympathy or contributions to Hospice of the Bluegrass are suggested.www.clarklegacycenter.com <b>Funeral Information</b> Visitation will be 2:30pm, Saturday, July 23, 2011 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 405 Bell Lawn, Nicholasville, Kentucky. Funeral service will follow at 4 pm, also at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.