November 12, 1946 - August 24, 2018
Don, Donnie, DJT, T, Mr. T 'Brown Road' - passed away Friday, August 24th in the Prince George Regional Hospital with family, CBC radio, a good nurse and a compassionate doctor at his side.
Don was born in Prince George, BC one of Leonard and Bunty Thatcher's six children. They lived at Chief Lake until Donnie was 10 years old then moved to Wells, BC. From an early age, Donnie was interested in animals, farming, outdoors, hunting and cooking. He loved his dogs, baking bread with his mother and pulling pranks on his younger sister Bea. At age 17 Donnie went into the army becoming a military policeman in Manitoba. It was then he pursued his true passion of becoming a wildlife conservation officer. DJT spent his CO career in Prince George, Cloverdale, Burns Lake and ultimately Dease Lake, Spatsizi area - where he patrolled an area the size of Switzerland. Don had an amazing career in the days of helicopter, float planes, riverboats, and horse patrols - he was knowledgeable and dedicated to protecting northern wildlife.
After leaving Dease Lake, in 1991 - Brown Rd., Burns Lake became his home with Caroline, where he farmed and had cows, pack horses, a donkey, hay, bees and chickens. Don worked for the Ministry of Highways in Burns Lake, before one last CO career move into Nunavut in 2003 where he dealt with muskox and polar bears, -40 C and winter darkness.
Don was a very private person but when he wished to, he could tell many stories over tea, his homemade biscuits, his famous cinnamon buns or a full course meal.
Don is predeceased by his parents Leonard and Bunty (Isabelle) Thatcher, his brother Bill, his nephew Norman and his niece Pam. He leaves behind his siblings Joan, Leonard (Diane), Bea, David (Sam) and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind Caroline, their dogs and cats, his career partner, best friend and hunting partner Del, and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at the Francois Lake Hall in Burns Lake, Saturday, September 29th at 2:00 p.m. In honour of DJT, donations can be made to the BC Wildlife Federation or the Canadian Lung Association.
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Service Details
2:00 PM