The youngest of four siblings, George was born on August 1, 1951 to Webster Aldrich Thayer and Agnes Maxine Sargent. He grew up in South Newfane, VT.
At age 21, he married Blanche Edna Sumner of Halifax, VT. The Lord gave George and Blanche 50 loving years together before he passed away. They lived in Vermont for most of their lives and were blessed with two daughters: Leah Betsey and Courtney Rebecca.
God created George to fix things, and he began working as an auto mechanic early in his life. George owned and operated a successful automotive repair business, Rocky Ledge Auto Repair, for 30 years in Halifax, VT. His customers will remember him as a skilled, honest, and compassionate man.
When George was in his 20s, he placed his trust in Jesus Christ to forgive his sins and make him right with God. This was a turning point for him. He spent the rest of his life growing in faith and love. He was active in church and cared deeply about people.
In 2021, George and Blanche moved to Clinton, MO to be close to their family. At that time, George became very involved in the Celebrate Recovery ministry at his church. He told everyone he met about CR, because he saw firsthand how it helps people recover from all sorts of “hurts, habits, and hang-ups.”
His family will remember him for his gentle heart, sense of humor, and love of ice cream. They will remember him taking them boating on the lake and giving them rides in his Ford Model A. Most of all, they will remember him as a hero of the faith. When he learned he had terminal cancer, he never stopped saying, “It’s okay.” He quoted Romans 8:28 often throughout his illness: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
George loved his family. He is survived by his wife, his two daughters, his sons-in-law Josh Pritchard and Justin Wallhoff, and his seven grandchildren: Knox, Violet, Noah, Malcolm, Lucie, Lillian, and soon-to-be grandbaby, Webster. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Thayer; his sister, Mary Towne; and many nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister, Betsey Wetherbee. George will be missed by many lifelong friends in Southern Vermont.
A Celebration of Life service honoring George will be held on October 13, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church Worship Center in Clinton, MO, with a luncheon following. For those who cannot attend, the service will be live-streamed at firstbaptistclinton.church/georgethayer and on the church’s Facebook page. The family would love to hear your memories of George; you can share them online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be given to Celebrate Recovery. Checks can be made to “First Baptist Church of Clinton” with a designation for “Celebrate Recovery” and mailed to First Baptist Church, 209 E. Jefferson St., Clinton, MO, 6473
