Hayes Price “H.P.” Thacker, 89, of Luray, Kansas, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2015 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

H.P. was born July 31, 1925 in Gove County, Kansas, the son of  Grover Cleveland and Cora (Eaton) Thacker.  He grew up in Gove County until the third grade when his family moved to north of Bunker Hill, Kansas on the Saline River.  He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He was with the 43rd Infantry Division and stationed in the Philippines.  H.P. was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Bogart on December 19, 1944 in Hoxie, Kansas.  This union was blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Kathy.  They made their home in Luray.  H.P. worked for Union Pacific Railroad for many years.  He retired in 1984 as a General Roadmaster.  H.P. was a member of the Luray United Methodist Church.  In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, and mechanic work.

Surviving family include his wife of 70 years, Mary Ellen of the home; daughters, Margaret Thomas (Wayne) of Topeka, Kansas and Kathy Cook (Ryan) of Bunker Hill, Kansas; brother, James Thacker (Sylvia) of Granite Bay, California; sister, Coradell Hickman of Vista, California; brother-in-law, Don Bay of Chico, California; four grandchildren, Rob Thomas of Sterling, Kansas, Megan Thomas of Henderson, Nevada, Monica Dreiling (Myron) of Hays, Kansas and Justin Cook (Angie) of Hays, Kansas; and one great granddaughter, Mariella Dreiling.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Grover Thacker, sisters, Annabell Twyman, Arlene Sumerlin and Mary Bay.

Celebration of Hayes’ life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at the Luray United Methodist Church with Pastor Les Rye officiating.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas.  Military rites will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Monday, January 5, 2015 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary where the family will be present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  Memorials have been established with the Luray United Methodist Church and Luray United Methodist Women.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.