Carroll Franklin Thatcher, 84, a lifelong Virginian and military veteran who lived in Orange, Va., died on Tuesday, March 10. He was born in Arlington on October 15, 1930 and raised in Northern Virginia.
Carroll honorably served in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in the early 1950’s, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Occupation Medal (Germany).
Carroll was a Mason for most of his adult life. He first joined the Masonic Lodge in 1960 and was a current member of Independent Orange Lodge No. 138, A.F. & A.M. in Orange, Va. He held many positions within the Lodge over the years including Worshipful Master. It was a very proud occasion in 2013 when he was awarded his 50 year pin.
Carroll worked in several industries during his adulthood. Some of his employers included A&P Grocery, U.S. Post Office, the Government Printing Office where he started as an apprentice and progressed to journeyman to master. He also worked at the Washington Navy Yard as a civilian in Printing & Procurement. In semi-retirement he also was a commercial truck driver, bus driver and a convenience store clerk.
After retiring from work with the federal government, Carroll met and then married Gloria Morton on April 2, 1995. After a brief stay in Texas, they moved to Gordonsville, Va. to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Carroll, along with Gloria, was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Orange, Va. Additionally, Carroll was highly involved in supporting Gloria’s efforts to serve those in need at the Love Outreach Food Pantry in Orange, Va.
Always hard at work, Carroll loved working with his hands. If he wasn’t tending to his gorgeous flower gardens, he was working on cars or other machinery or using his skills and handicraft to build or repair something at home or for friends and family. A man in constant motion, he didn’t like to sit still unless to attend services or family gatherings. Carroll loved family and family gatherings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll F. Thatcher, Sr. and Rosalie T. Thatcher. Carroll is survived by his wife Gloria; sons Michael of Bound Brook, NJ, John of Falls Church, Brian of Camp Hill, Pa. and David of Fairfax; step-sons Paul (Marty) Wood of Greeley, Co., Steven Wood of Fredericksburg, and William Wood of Chesapeake; adopted son, Louis Roy of Saretta, La.; and all his brothers and sisters. Carroll was also the proud grand parent of 21 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, with one great grandchild having also preceded him in death.
Carroll’s internment will be at Culpeper National Cemetery in Culpeper, Va. at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Love Outreach Food Pantry, Inc., at P. O. Box 788, Orange, Va., 22960 or Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 143 W. Main St., Orange, Va. 22960.
