Larry Thayer Obituary

Larry Eugene Thayer

Larry Eugene Thayer, 86, of Findlay, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's.

Larry was born in Flint, Michigan, to James and Opal (Crystal) Thayer. Larry grew up as the oldest of four children. He had two sisters, Carol (Roth) and Gail (Pitkin), and a brother, Don. He graduated from Beecher High School in 1956, where he was class President.

Larry is survived by his wife, Jeri Gilbert-Thayer; four daughters, Laura (Joel) Bowdish, Theresa (Tim) Jach, Amber (Dan) Wilson, and Elise (Richard) Roscoe; five grandchildren, Jared (Jennifer) Bowdish, Tarah (Stephen) Grennell, Amanda Edison, and Evelyn and Olivia Roscoe; three great-grandchildren, Hendrick and Oliver Bowdish, and Killian Grennell; two stepsons, Keith (Lisa) Gilbert and Neil (Melissa) Gilbert; brother, Don Thayer; six nephews; and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisteres, Carol (Dale) Roth and Gail (Pitkin); and close friend and cousin, Kenny Piate.

Larry attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship from 1956-1959. He first married Dawn Smith and they were married for 20 years. They had two children, Laura (Joel) Bowdish of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and Theresa (Tim) Jach of Richmond, Texas. After living in many western states, they settled in Clio, Michigan, where he took flying lessons, became a private pilot, and purchased his beloved Piper Comanche airplane.

Larry moved to Findlay where he met and married Lou Bishop. They were married for 11 years. They had two children, Amber (Dan) Wilson and Elise (Richard) Roscoe, both of Findlay. Larry built a beautiful home for his family, doing most of the work and design himself, even putting in a grass landing strip for his airplane. He co-founded Waldo Peppers restaurant in downtown Findlay. His personal collection of aircraft memorabilia decorated that restaurant. He left that venture to pursue his love of construction and founded Arcadia Building company.

He married Jeri Gilbert of Findlay in 1998. His daughters were thrilled to see how happy he was with her. Together, they enjoyed entertaining for family and friends, traveling, and home renovation. Many of their weekends were spent helping family members with home renovation projects. During this time Larry owned and operated Gilbert-Thayer Construction.

Larry's quick wit, broad smile, hearty laugh, love of learning, appreciation of art, creativity, and independent nature will be missed by his family.

At his request, his body was donated to The Ohio State University for medical research in hopes that they discover a cure for memory disease.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria for the outstanding care they gave Larry during his stay with them.

A celebration of life has been scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at Findlay Inn and Conference Center, 200 E. Main Cross Street.