He was born in Fort Smith, Ark., and graduated from high school in Hookstown, Pa., according to his Facebook page. He enlisted in 1997 and lived in San Diego with his wife, Symantha, and their two young children.
Symantha Thacker, also an active duty sailor stationed in San Diego, was flown to Guam after her husband was moved to an intensive care unit. She arrived two days before his passing and was by his side when he died, the Navy said.