GORDON MANLEY THAYER
February 17, 1933 – April 19, 2010

     Gordon Manley Thayer, age 77, a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones following a valiant battle against cancer on Monday, April 19, 2010.
     Gordon was born on February 17, 1933 to Manley and Jeanette (Hug) Thayer on the family farm near Kerkhoven, MN. He attended country school near his home and went on to attend the Kerkhoven High School where he graduated with the Class of 1951. As a young man, Gordon gained employment working with the railroad for two years. On October 10, 1953, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. “Bobbie” Thayer. This union was blessed with three children: John, Jim and Kim. In 1953, Gordon entered the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country for 23 years as part of the Strategic Air Command. He began his career at Parks AFB, CA and then moved on to the Lowry AFB in Denver, CO. He spent one year in electronic and radar maintenance school. He was then transferred to MacDull AFB, FL as a radar and fire control technician on B-47 Bombers. After seven years there, he was transferred to B-52 Gunner’s school. He flew for 16 years as a gunner on B-52’s. Over his career he logged over 10,000 flight hours and ll62 combat hours over Viet Nam flying out of bases in Guam, Okinawa and Thailand. Gordon has 170 combat missions to his credit. He was both a Korean and Viet Nam War Veteran and was awarded the cold war recognition certificate. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (7 oak cluster), the Combat Readiness Medal (l oak leaf cluster) and other medals and awards. He retired in April of 1976 with the rank of Sr. Master Sergeant. In that same year, Gordon moved with his family to a dairy farm near Park Rapids, MN where he enjoyed farming until his second retirement in 1992. Gordon loved the out of doors; especially when he could be out hunting, fishing or camping with his family or friends. He enjoyed cooking many meals over an open fire for his children and grandchildren. He was a good steward of the land and had planted tens of thousands of trees on his farm. He was a man of faith who enjoyed attending several area churches. Gordon had cared for his dear wife, Bobbie for a number of years as she faced many health issues. His life was forever saddened by her death in 2008. Gordon had served on the Osage Township Board for a number of years.
     He will be lovingly remembered by his children: James (Brenda) Thayer of Owatonna, MN and Kim (Wayne) Kucera of Onamia, MN; his daughter-in-law, Mrs John (Susan) Kettle of St. Louis, MO; nine grandchildren: Amy (Daniel “Punky”) Massie, Aleshea Thayer, Jackie (Billie) Heinz, Joel Thayer, Tony (Bobbie) Kucera, Levi Kucera, John Kucera, Heather (Matt) Singleton and Sara (Dan) Sander; 4 sisters: Joyce Finstrom of Kerkhoven, MN, Mae (Neil) Gustafson and Gertrude (Orville) Jacobson all of Willmar and Gladys Yeo of Henning, MN; one sister-in-law, Jeannie Thayer of Park Rapids, MN and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
     Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Maurice; his son, John and his beloved wife, Bobbie.
     Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with the Reverend Rod Tornquist officiating. The casket bearers will be his grandsons: Joel Thayer, Levi Kucera, John Kucera, Tony Kucera, Billy Heinz, Punky Massie and Blake Kettle. The honorary casket bearers will be: John and Patty Shepersky, Leo and Jean Schmid, Marvin and Coralynn Lempola and Jim and Pat Boyd. Interment will be made at the Riverside Cemetery in Osage. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the services on Saturday.