Royal Cranford Thayer, Jr. Obituary (1951 - 2009)

Born May 29, 1951, Royal Cranford Thayer, Jr. attended Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Royal Cranford Thayer, Jr..

Graduation Year	Class of 1969
Date of Birth	May 29, 1951
Date of Passing	Apr 26, 2009
About	Royal Cranford Thayer, Jr. Obituary ROYAL CRANFORD THAYER VIRGINIA BEACH-----It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, son and friend, Royal Cranford Thayer, Jr. He joins his adored wife Marilyn Earman Thayer in Heaven, after only 363 days apart. Roy was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. He attended Lake Taylor High School, where he was a star basketball player. Roy then headed to Virginia Tech, where he received his BS in Civil Engineering and became a life long Hokie and Lambda Chi Alpha brother. After a brief stay in Lynchburg, he came back to Virginia Beach, where he made his home. He had a triumphant career with the City of Virginia Beach, Reese Smith Assoc. and Guest Quarters. As the adventurer, Roy started his own company Thayer Associates, LLC. He was a very successful general contractor, working on his own for 20 years. Most recently, Roy was Director of Operations for SPSA and managed the landfill in Suffolk. Roy loved life. He battled so much and persevered over so many adversities with a smile and a laugh. Roy was a proud, three time cancer survivor, counseling others through similar situations. He loved his family, his friends, his dogs, the beach and God. He is survived by his mother, Frances Dugger Thayer of Virginia Beach; his brother Eugene Thayer of Norfolk; his daughter and son in law Sara and Mark Popovich of Suffolk; his daughter and son in law Mary and Tim Gale of Midlothian; his stepson and stepdaughter in law Jamie and Michelle Voorhies of Silver Spring, MD; his stepdaughter Kaylor Voorhies of Virginia Beach; his grandson Alexander Conrad Popovich of Suffolk; his grandson Jackson Walker Stoots of Virginia Beach; and lots of close friends and extended families. A memorial service honoring his glorious life will be at Virginia Beach United MethodistChurch on Friday, May 1 at 2:00pm. Following the service, we will have a reception at the church and a celebration of Roy's life at Tautogs restaurant. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Roy's life, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to hdoliver.com