Clayton Thayer Hicks

JEFFERSON, NH - Clayton Thayer Hicks was born in Jefferson, New Hampshire on April 3, 1936 to Patricia Thayer Hicks and Clayton John Hicks. He was the first of their 9 children. He died on March 11th at his home in Jefferson surrounded by his loving family. Despite years of declining health Clayton was able to stay home with the loving care of his daughter Lisa. Clayton (known to many as Thayer) graduated from Lancaster High School in 1954 and soon after enlisted in the US Navy. His service in the Navy took the north country boy around the world's seas as a submariner. He was selected to participate in the Navy's nuclear power school in the early years of that program. Thayer met Catherine Levasseur in 1956 at the Mountain View Hotel in Whitefield. They married in 1958. Thayer's service in the Navy forced him to be away for months at a time, though when he was home he was an important role in raising his and Cathy's four children. He would create adventures, camp, fish, boat, hunt, tell stories and occasionally tease. Thayer's children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren all have memories of an Uncle Bubby or Grampa story. His service in the Navy took his family from Key West Florida, to New London, Connecticut, Charleston, South Carolina, and Saratoga, New York. In 1976, Thayer retired from the US Navy as a Lieutenant and brought his family back to Jefferson to pursue his dream of renovating "The Farm." While farming he also served as a PTA president, chaperoned ski days, and worked painting. Thayer raised cattle, sheep, pigs, geese and even a racoon. Industry came calling and Thayer decided to go back into the workforce with Boston Edison helping bring nuclear power plants on line. This job brought Cathy and a limited number of the children first to Jefferson City, Missouri, Oswego, New York, Hixson, Tennessee, Omaha, Nebraska, and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Thayer and Cathy owned over 20 houses in their lifetime before settling back in Jefferson. Thayer was predeceased by both his parents, his sister Katherine, his brothers Kent and Forrest, his son David Thayer, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Cathy. He is survived by his daughter Lori Lynn Hicks Carlson and her husband Jesse, of Thornton, Colorado; his daughter Lisa Ann Hicks of Jefferson; and his daughter Patricia Hicks O'Neill and her husband Daniel of Holderness, New Hampshire. He loved his grandchildren Catherine Webster, Candra Hicks, McCullan Hicks, Dylan Carlson, Elizabeth Dimick, and Samuel Dimick; and his great-grandchildren Korben and Karsen Webster, Deacon Kennison, Henry, Mia and Madelyn Hicks; and many nieces and nephews. Everyone will miss Thayer's smile. A graveside service with military honors will be held Friday, June 11th at 12:00 PM at the Hillside Cemetery, Jefferson. Rev. Timothy Brooks, pastor of St. Paul's Church, Lancaster, will officiate.

Clayton Thayer Hicks

April 3, 1936 - March 11, 2021