Wayne Gale Thatcher

Wayne Gale Thatcher, 71, of Brazoria, Texas passed away peacefully at home on November 7, 2024.

Wayne was born on July 5, 1953 in Houston, Texas to Melvin and Vivian Thatcher. As a child, he spent his summers in Quintana with his grandmother and grandfather, Lester and Treavy Thatcher, whom he affectionally called Nanny and Bud. He grew up fishing the Texas Gulf Coast, often making trips down to Padre Island. When he wasn’t casting a line, he would help at the family farm in Brazoria, where he learned horsemanship and how to raise cattle with his great uncle and aunt, Big Boy and Cookie.

His love of the water led him to enlist in the United States Coast Guard. He was stationed out of Galveston, and served as an Engineman on the USCGC Iris. In addition, he was assigned to the Galveston Jetty Lighthouse and was one of the last men to assist in its operations. Later, he joined the Texas Army National Guard where he gained a passion for radio communications. He then worked as a Boilermaker for Chevron Phillips, and retired after 27 years with the company.

In 1977, he met the love of his life, Susan, and they cherished 46 years of marriage. Together they raised their children, Rebecca and Brandon, on the same farm in Brazoria where he spent his childhood days.

Wayne was incredibly talented and creative in many aspects. He went to horseshoeing school and learned to be a farrier, often trimming and shoeing horses after work and on weekends. He proudly built the family home with his own hands. He loved Native American history, searching for arrowheads, blacksmithing, fishing and flounder gigging, hunting, painting, ceramics, watching war movies and westerns, beekeeping, and communicating across the world as a Ham Radio Operator (KB5IIL). He was a Cub Scout leader, Little League coach, and drill team dad, never missing a football game or performance. He passed on his passion for horses to his daughter, and he was always there to provide horsemanship advice as she learned to ride and compete. He also adored his dogs, and there was almost always a dog sitting in his lap or sleeping at his feet. Wayne was a Master Mason and a member of Old Ocean Masonic Lodge #1284.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Rebecca and husband, Richard; sister, Julie Maroul and husband, Keith; sister, Kelly Thatcher; and his dogs, Buddy and Jack.

Wayne was preceded in death by his son, Brandon; father, Melvin Thatcher; mother, Vivian Cyr, grandparents, Lester and Treavy Thatcher, and Bill and Hazel Kelley; great uncle and aunt, Robert and Miriam Tolar; and sister, Keum Thatcher.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Brazoria, Texas on November 15, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Brazoria Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be the Free Masons of Brazoria and Old Ocean.

The family would like to thank Deputy J. Brown of the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department for his kindness and compassion during their time of need.

Final arrangements entrusted to Dixon Funeral Home of Brazoria.

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