James Harold Thacker Jr

James Thacker, age 30 of Kingsport, entered into eternal life during the early morning hours on Monday, April 13, 2026.  James was born on September 29, 1995, in Kingsport, TN to James Harold Thacker Sr. and Gwendolyn Nunley Thacker.  In 2016, a young lady by the name of Hannah Dotson began an amazing friendship with James.  What started out as an amazing friendship soon blossomed into a beautiful love story.  In 2020, James and Hannah took their friendship to the next season of their lives in which they dedicated themselves one to another.  Then on June 28, 2024, James married his best friend and love of his life, Hannah Dotson.  Not only did James gain a loving wife, he also gained a father and mother-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law who all loved him as their own.  When in public, James was always introduced as his in-law’s son, not the “son-in-law”; or as a brother, not the “brother-in-law”.  Their family had a special bond in which their family were truly family.

James enjoyed the simple things in life.  Whether it was spending time with his wife, his dog “Zahara”, or an animal that didn’t belong to him, he found a peace that many people were unable to find.  James enjoyed gaming, fishing, cooking, listening to music, and watching his favorite show “Scrubs” and “Impractical Jokers”.  Even though James faced many health challenges during his young life, he refused to be a victim, always striving to be a victor.

James was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandmother, Edith Thacker.  Those left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife, Hannah Dotson; father and mother-in-law, David and Deanna Dotson; brothers-in-law, Jesse Dotson and Andrew Guy; sister-in-law, Anna Guy; brother, Daniel Thacker and wife, Regina; sister, Jennifer Gailey and husband, Bill; his fur baby, Zahara “Hunny”; grandmother-in-law, Ruthie Ellis; and many loving family members and friends.

A memorial service celebrating James’ life and testimony will be on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 5:00 pm at Borderview Christian Church in Elizabethton, TN with pastors David Dotson and Scott Fisher officiating.  Borderview Christian Church is located at 1338 Bristol Hwy, Elizabethton, TN 37643.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home Kingsport is serving the Thacker/Dotson family.