Wicked Rash

Aaron Vere Thatcher, 44, passed away surrounded by his family at the Ogden Regional Hospital on Tuesday December 18, 2018, after a courageous, four-year battle with lung cancer. With Sweet Lorraine by his side, Aaron faced cancer just like he faced everything else in his life-with courage, optimism, rock-solid faith, and dignity, with gratitude and love for all those on his team fighting for him.  

Aaron was born in Logan, UT on May 18, 1974 to David Kendrick Thatcher and Kathleen Johnson Thatcher, and grew up first in Wanship, UT, then Providence, and later on a hilltop in Paradise. He was the second of thirteen children.

"Big A" grew up playing sports and would become well known for his accomplishments in athletics, but was loved for his kindness, humility, and thoughtfulness. He was known more for his kind heart than for his strong arm. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, Aaron dedicated his life to lifting others, deflecting attention from himself. 

As a young man, Aaron put his baseball career with the Minnesota Twins on hold to fulfill his dream of serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sao Paulo, Brasil. He loved his mission and the wonderful people he met there.

Aaron’s life truly began when he met his perfect match, Lorraine Kretschmer. She was his ‘Sweet Lorraine’, and he adored her completely. They were married in the Logan temple on July 31, 2001, and were thrilled to welcome to the family each of their six precious children. Three of their children have Cystic Fibrosis, a trial which Aaron and Sweet Lorraine faced with united strength. Aaron was a devoted dad. His family was his focus. 

To meet Aaron was to have an instant friend. He loved people, and connecting with them was his gift. He was an excellent listener. He remembered the details of people’s lives, and would often follow up with a call, a letter, or a thoughtful gift.  

On Aaron’s last day, he interacted lovingly with friends, church leaders, siblings, his Sweet Lorraine, and his children. In true Aaron fashion, and with great effort, he spoke to each person, looking in their eyes, calling them by name or nickname, expressing his love and gratitude in a personal manner to each one. We wish that all of you who love him could have been there with us to witness his finest hour. He was the Aaron Thatcher who we all love to the last moment, and there was an incredible outpouring from his wonderful soul. Each felt personally loved and remembered by him. In his suffering, Aaron tutored us all one last time.

We express our deepest gratitude to the Farmington Shepherd Park Ward and Farmington Utah North Stake for their loving kindness. We also thank Aaron’s colleagues at Brasseler USA, his wonderful doctors and nurses, and his big brother Jeff for the endless hours he spent fighting for Aaron.  We would also like to thank those who generously donated to help fund Aaron’s medical expenses. 

He is survived by his wife, his Sweet Lorraine Marie Kretschmer Thatcher, and his children, Kaitlin Lorraine, Madelyn Marie, David Aaron, Brigham Bernard, Ella Grace, and Lily Sophia. His parents David and Kathleen Thatcher and siblings: Jeff (Amy), Melissa Howell (Joe), Alison Ellis (Greg), Mark (Emily), Paul (Jen), Laura Hadfield (Ken), Kent (Sara), Katie Bayles (Cody), Alex (Tiffanie), Murphy (Andrea), Matt (Jennie), Anna Patterson (K.J.) and many adoring nieces and nephews, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. He will be deeply missed. His Christ-like life will never be forgotten.

The viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meeting house at 1955 S. 350 E. Kaysville UT. on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m and on Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 22, 2018. 

If you have special photos or memories with Aaron that you would like to share, there will be a table where they can be displayed at the viewing. Or you can send them to codykatiebayles@gmail.com.