Dana Charles Thayer

Dana Charles Thayer, 95, of Lynchburg, Virginia died on February 2, 2026 at Lynchburg General Hospital after a brief illness.

Dana was born in Nashua, NH, the son of Bernard H. and Mildred Marsh Thayer. Dana was a 1948 graduate of Manchester Central High School in Manchester, NH. He attended Boston College where he studied art and ran marathons. He went on to graduate with honors and a Bachelor of Industrial Arts degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He served as a Staff Sergeant and MP in the U. S. Air Force while stationed in the Philippines and Pope AFB at Ft. Bragg, NC before returning to Brooklyn. While at Pratt, Dana met his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Taylor Thayer. They were both talented and shared a love of art. They were married in 1954 at Skyland Farm, Monroe, VA.

After a very successful career in designing Trade Show exhibits, displays, signage for major companies and museum exhibits, they moved to Monroe in 1975, where they established Dana C. Thayer Industrial Design Inc. Dana and Carolyn spent many years traveling the world and especially enjoyed journaling and documenting their travels with volumes of stories and photographs.

Family was the center of Dana’s life. His wife Carolyn preceded him in death. He leaves behind 3 daughters: Kathleen Paup, (Sam), Monroe, VA, Debby Thayer (Mitch), Tallassee, AL, and Roxanne Spittle (Richard), Meherrin, VA, 6 grandchildren, Andra Day (Chris), Monroe, VA, Rebekah Martin (Brian), Amherst, VA, Katy Murray (Bobby), Monroe, VA, Matthew Gouldthorpe (Ashley), Lowry, VA, Herb Gouldthorpe, Monroe, VA, and Ben Owen, Meherrin, VA, 7 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. He also leaves his beloved companion, Valerie Compass, Lynchburg, VA.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined this spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration for donations be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 732 High Peak Road, Monroe, VA 24574.