Gavin Thayer

Gavin Leroy Thayer, at 52 years of age, very peacefully passed away Wednesday October 2, 2013 at Happy Valley Home Care in Happy Valley, Oregon. He waged a long and valiant battle against MS which was initially diagnosed in his late twenties.

He was born to Gary and Karen Thayer on May 29, 1961, in Corvallis, Oregon. He started High School in Aloha, Oregon and received his diploma at Medford High School in 1979. He was active in Scouting and earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1977. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Oregon State University in 1984.

Gavin then left for Washington, D.C., where he worked as an intern for Senator Mark Hatfield (an experience he was most proud of). While in the D.C. area he worked for the National Boy Scouts of America and several restaurants and hotels as banquet and private dining manager.

Gavin met and later married Meg Hartlage and for approximately five years they lived and worked in the Cincinnati area and shared a townhouse in Northern Kentucky. Seeking different lifestyles, they agreed to a dissolution of marriage and Gavin returned to the Portland area in 1997 to pursue employment as a Registered Dietician.

As the physical limitations of his MS advanced, Gavin secured an apartment in the Sellwood District of Portland through the Housing Authority of Portland. He later volunteered as a Resident Commissioner for the agency to become an advocate for agency residents. Then through Quadriplegics United Against Dependency he secured residence at Burnside Station Apartments in SE Portland where he could receive resident directed care. He maintained this residence until July of this year when it became necessary for him to move into foster care.

Gavin is survived by his mother, Karen Hunter of Clackamas, Oregon, his father, Gary Thayer of Portland, Oregon and his sister, Stacy Bennett of Gresham, Oregon.

His family would encourage all who are interested, to contribute to the MS Society of Portland, in his honor. You will find donation cards in the foyer as you leave.