David Lynn Thatcher - Obituary

 

David Lynn Thatcher - Obituary

David Lynn Thatcher, 88 years old, died Thursday, September 22, 2022, at his home, after an incredible two and a half year battle with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia, a disease with a normal life span of less than a year. Lynn (David) was born December 18, 1933, in Independence, Missouri. He was born, went to school, graduated, married, raised three children, worked, retired, married for a second time after the death of his first wife, went through chemotherapy, and died- in short, he lived his entire life less than five miles from the place where he grew up. Lynn married Barbara Beth Bryant in 1953 and they had three children- he was enormously proud of his children and their accomplishments over the years. He proudly served his country by joining the United States Marine Corps in 1953 and was honorably discharged after two years of active service with the rank of Sergeant. Lynn worked for the Kansas City Power and Light Company from 1956 to 1979, then for Independence Power and Light Company from 1979-1999. He was ordained first a Deacon, then a Priest, finally an Elder in the Community of Christ Church, and was very active in his role as a minister and counselor to several pastors over the years, becoming a guiding influence in his home congregation at East Independence. Lynn could do it all, from ironing a shirt and making pecan cinnamon rolls from scratch, to completely rewiring a 1951 Ford automobile and building his own house. He used his excellent electrical, mechanical, and automotive skills to help his friends in the Early Ford V-8 Club fix their cars- and anyone else with a horseless carriage. Lynn loved to travel and went all over the world with his mother-in-law, Verda’s, tours, and all over the United States in his van with his car buddies, Jim and Ed. Most of all, Lynn was a man of integrity. Respect and Responsibility. That was his mantra. They were not just words for him, but the principles he lived by. Helping others was not just something he did, it was who he was. David Lynn is preceded in death by his first wife of fifty-seven years and mother of his children Barbara Beth Bryant Thatcher; parents Thomas Sr., and Madge Thatcher; brother Thomas Thatcher, Jr.; sister Doris Lee Beckwith; brother Ellis Thatcher; and sister Mary Beckwith. Lynn is survived by his Crazy Old Lady second wife Linda Charlene Waugh Thatcher; daughter Susan Belinda Murray and husband Charles; son Phillip Lynn Thatcher and wife Barbara; son Mark Allen Thatcher and wife Gwendolyn; six grandchildren: Eric Murray, Roshelle Carpenter, Jared Thatcher, Justin Thatcher, Bethany Allgeyer, and Jorden Thatcher; and twelve great-grandchildren. A visitation will take place on Friday, September 30th, 2022, family will greet guest from 6:00-8:00pm. Lynn’s services will be taking place on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 10am, both to be held at Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 E 39th St. Independence, MO 64055) with burial to follow service. Lynn will be laid to rest in Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to any fund at The Community of Christ World Church.