Golden Knight Alumni Association, US Army Parachute Team

Tony Thacker was born and raised by a Golden Knight, Gene Thacker. When Tony was about 10 years of age, Gene Thacker retired from the Golden Knights and started Raeford Aviation DZ. The Raeford was the home of the Golden Knights for many years; Tony was exposed to skydiving and the Golden Knights way for all those years.

It was not until he was 18 years old, did Tony take to the air and started to skydive. From 1981 to 1989, Tony remained as a civilian and competed against the Golden Knights in Style & Accuracy. Tony and the Golden Knights trained side by side at Raeford, traveling to the same regional, US National and World Meets. Sometimes the Knights won, sometimes Tony won at those meets.

Then in 1994, Tony together with his partner Kate Griesser started SKY KAT Gear Shop on the Raeford drop zone. In 2001, Kate & Tony expanded their involvement in the skydiving industry and purchased Raeford Parachute Center.

In 2002, Tony was made an honorary Golden Knight for his years of friendship, service and support of the Golden Knights along with his wife Kate Griesser during the Golden Knight?s Christmas party at Aviator?s Bar & Grill, located at Raeford DZ.

In 2003, SKY KAT Gear Shop was sold to devote more time to the Raeford Parachute Center school. Presently, Tony is the school manager, S/L Instructor, and AFF Instructor at Raeford Parachute Center. Tony is also the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for USPA.