Leon
Thamer passed away on March 9, 2003 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after a short
illness. He was born on October 20, 1913 in Hillsdale, Michigan to Henry and
Alice Thamer. He had an active, full life, with two careers, busy family life,
volunteering and traveling.Working to put himself through college, he was a State News Editor for the Jackson Citizen Patriot newspaper, and later the Editor of the university newspaper while attending the University of Michigan. He enlisted in military service in 1943 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, and served on the USS Teal and the USS Wyandot in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and briefly studied at yale to become a communications officer. Upon his discharge from the Navy, on the advice of a friend, he thought he would go on an interview or two in Los Angeles before heading east to Boston to accept a journalism position. Lucky for us, he instead accepted a position in Advertising with the Los Angeles firm of Hixson & Jorgensen, Inc., and had a successful career spanning many years.
He took a new professional direction when he accepted a position as Development Officer of the Braille Institute in Los Angeles in 1971. He was soon promoted to Assistant Executive Director and thoroughly enjoyed his 21 years of service. He retired from the Institute in 1992 but remained active in Institute functions and fundraisers.
Throughout his working career and in retirement, he enjoyed traveling extensively. He was most proud of visiting over seventy countries and always took pleasure in planning for the next trip. In his younger years, he was a bullfighting aficionado and frequently traveled to Mexico with his young sons. After retirement, he volunteered at the Petersen Automobile Museum and the Page Museum. He also participated in the UCLA School of Law Volunteer Witness Program. He enjoyed attending various civic and literary functions, such as Round Table West, California Council of the Blind, and Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. Leon is survived by son Carl Thamer and wife Lisette of San Marcos, CA; son Keith Thamer and wife Linda of Carlsbad, CA; grandchildren Wendy Keith, Michelle Thamer, Devin Thamer, Christian Thamer, Jeff Thamer and Leslie Thamer; great-grandchildren Jeff Thamer and Blake Thamer, and long-time friend Terry Tyor.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Braille Institute of Los Angeles. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. in the Mortuary Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park Association on March 13, 2003.
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