The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Francis Newton Thayer, Jr. was born March 23, 1922 in Chicago, the first child of Francis Newton Thayer and Helen Foulke. Newt died peacefully on July 4, in Orange.

Newt earned the rank

of Second Lieutenant in the Air Corps of the Army of the United States during World War II. While stationed in Iowa, he met Jean Evelyn Marsh, the love of his life, at a dance for military personnel. On June 1, 1944 in Des Moines, IA, they were married and began life together. Newt was a B-24 Bomber Pilot in the European Theater during World War II.

Upon his return to civilian life, they moved to Atlanta, GA where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduation Newt joined E I Du Pont de Nemours and Company, and eventually moved his family to Orange in 1954. Here they reared three sons, Frank, David and Ken.

Newt's activities included playing contract bridge, playing golf, working in the yard, and exploring artwork, oil painting, and stained glass. He was active in the Orange Rotary Club, SCORE, and the continuing education program at Lamar University-Orange. Newt and Jean traveled to five continents where they enjoyed sightseeing, shopping, and fine dining. They loved to dance and were sometimes the only couple on cruise ship dance floors.

Newt was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jean, and his son Kenneth Charles Thayer.

He is survived by children, Francis N "Frank" Thayer III and wife, Rosemary, of Houston, son David Marsh Thayer of Houston, and daughter-in-law, Rose Etta Yocum Thayer of Orange. Grandchildren are Francis N "Mark" Thayer IV and wife, Tammy Sue, of Houston; Sean T Thayer and wife, Jennifer, of Lakeville, MN; Jennifer Erin Thayer Knight and husband, Sam, of Houston; Christi Jean Thayer Kovatch and husband, Christopher, of Orange; and Rose Lorraine "Lori" Thayer Briggs and husband, Matt of Killeen.

He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Austin Thomas, Heather Anne, Hannah Macaslin and Spencer Allan Thayer of Houston; Adam Thomas, Francis N V, and Jane Elizabeth Thayer of Lakeville, MN; Cinnone Alexandra, Gethin Ieuan James, and Gwyneth Rose Knight of Houston; Christopher Jackson, Christanna Rose "Rosie" and Christon Thayer Kovatch of Orange.

A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to a charity of your choice.