On October 1, 2014, Gordon Siddoway Thatcher left this life to serve a new calling. He lived an extraordinary life and his family honors him.

He was born of pioneer stock to Alice Siddoway and John Kenneth Thatcher on Nov. 15, 1931. He was raised in the shadow of the Tetons in Sugar City, Idaho and attended school there. He remained "true blue" to Sugar City all his life. The majestic Teton Mountains were one of his great "loves," where he enjoyed hiking and later climbing "THE GRAND."

In high school, he played football, basketball and ran the high hurdles. He took state in the Idaho State Debate Tournament and graduated from Sugar-Salem High School as salutatorian.

In 1951, he was called to the Great Britain Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which included all the British Isles at that time, and served as counselor to the mission president.

He returned and graduated from Ricks College and with his beloved wife, Beth Pickett, traveled to Washington D.C. where they both worked. He went to school nights and summers and graduated second in his class at George Washington Law School with a Juris Doctor Degree. He received no help financially for his schooling but completed it with scholarships and different jobs. Though given many prestigious opportunities to stay back East, the couple chose to return to Southern Idaho to be with good people and raise their family.

Gordon formed a new partnership with a man he greatly admired, Ray W. Rigby and they were partners for over 50 years in Rexburg, Idaho, practicing law. Gordon represented murder cases, the down trodden and poor, the unpopular, many merchants and local farmers. One of his greatest accomplishments came as a result of families who had become victims of the Teton Dam Disaster and he was able to obtain relief for them. He developed a focus on estate planning and joined with Winston Beard Firm in Idaho Falls.

With four of his friends, he co-owned the Racquetball and Health Center in Rexburg, where he played racquetball every morning for 30 years.

He served as president of the Seventh District Bar Association, president of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, president of Rexburg Kiwanis Club, president of Rexburg Chamber of Commerce and president of the Ricks College Alumni. Twice he was chosen Outstanding Alumni of Ricks College. He received the Extra Miler reward from the Boy Scouts of America.

His church service included three missions - British Mission, Rexburg Stake Mission, and President, with his wife Beth, of Micronesia Guam Mission. He served as bishop, stake president and regional representative. But he found the most joy in teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class in Sunday School. He read the Book of Mormon over 100 times and memorized many scriptures and pages.

One of last thoughts he shared before passing, was that "family" was the most important thing in his life. This was evident in all he did for his own seven children and wife. They loved him and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Pickett, of 60 years; children, Rochelle (Steve) Hartmann, of Seattle Wash.; Kenneth Blake, of Chicago, Ill.; Bryce (Melanie) Thatcher, of Washington, Utah; Barry (Brenda) Thatcher, of Las Cruces, N.M.; Rebecca (Sean) Covey, of Alpine, Utah; Jennifer (Shawn) Larsen, of Malaysia and Melissa (Brad) Colton, of New Canaan, Conn.; 35 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Conley Thatcher, Laurel Ulrich and Layle Erickson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, at 1 p.m.at the Rexburg LDS East Stake Center, 387 South 4th East, Rexburg, Idaho. Visitations will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Flamm Mortuary located at 61 North 1st East in Rexburg and on Saturday, prior to services, at noon at the stake center. Interment will be in the Rexburg City Cemetery.