Gene Thayn, born Horace Eugene Thayn, in Wellington, Utah, November 6, 1935, has passed away peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 85. During his life, Horace, better known as “Gene” to family and friends, was a man who loved many things here on earth.
One of the things Horace loved was his country. He first served in the US Air Force as a Control Systems Mechanic, working on Q-24 target drones. After graduation from college, he worked for NASA on early Apollo development. From NASA, he went to work for Lockheed. There, he worked on every generation of submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missile the US Navy has used to keep our country safe up to the present day. Finally, he ran for US Congress in the California 16th Congressional District; and, while he did not win, he remained interested in politics for the rest of his life.
Horace loved education and learning. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah. He later receved a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Santa Clara. Horace loved math. He received a teacher’s credential and taught math at Evergreen Valley College for several years. Horace always had time to show you the latest math book or help with any math problems you were working on.
Horace loved sports. As a teenager, he was on the junior high basketball team. He played fast-pitch softball, as well as basketball, for church teams. He coached several Little League baseball teams for Spartan Little League in San Jose, California. He enjoyed chess and golf throught h is life, and was always up for a pickup game of Horse on the driveway basketball hoop, or a game of Ping Pong on the table in the garage. He ws a lifelong fan of the Utah Utes, San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, and San Francisco 49’ers.
Horace loved his family. He was the oldest child, and son, in his family. As told by him, that just meant that he had to take a bath last, in the same tub and water already used by his other siblings, since he was the oldest. As part of his oldest brother responsibilities, Horace introduced his best friend in the Air Force, David Watson, to his sister. Janet. (David and Janet were married some time later.
Horace married Lois Greenwood, from Price, Utah, and together they had six children. He was a devoted husband and father, and spent his life ensuring his family had all their needs and wants taken care of. Horace enjoyed the love of his six children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, at his passing.
Finally, but not least, Horace loved God. He faithfully served in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the scriptures and was a firm believer in the power of the priesthood, and the power of prayer.
Horace “Gene” Thayn was a man of much love in this life. Those of us still on this side of the veil know he was welcomed back to his heavenly home, with all the love of his Heavenly Father, and all his family that have gone on before him. May he rest in peace.
There will be a graveside service for Gene on Monday, November 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wellington, Utah, city cemetery.
2 Condolences for Horace Eugene Thayn
Condolences(2)
Michael J Benning says
November 23, 2020 at 2:43 amHi Thayn’s
Sorry to hear Gene is gone. My condolences. I appreciate his obituary mentioning his love of math – I remember for Jared’s wedding to Melissa down in LA, getting picked up in a van to be taken to the hotel and Gene being in the van. I was still in school at the time and working on homework and Gene helping me with some of the math there in the van driving through LA.
Carrol Pace Hoggatt says
November 24, 2020 at 7:43 amHorace was my uncle. My last recollection of him was 50 years ago playing golf with him. He was always so much fun. His family moved to California and we lost touch. I read his obituary yesterday and feel so proud of him and what he accomplished in his life! God bless Lois and his family.