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The
Passing of
The Rt. Rev. Vincent Thakore, rector and bishop of St. James Anglican Church - Sandy Springs, Georgia, and patriarch of the Diocese of the South, expired on April 15, 2008 from a massive heart attack complicated by sleep apnea and a diabetic coma. He was in his mid sixties. Though he had struggled throughout his later years with diabetes and insufficient pituitary function, his health had improved enough for him to schedule work with various missions and churches. Bishop Thakore was born in India and was from Rajasthan. His father, Rt. Rev. Jai Singh Thakore was a well-known Anglican metropolitan bishop in north India.
Bishop Vincent Thakore's death was a shock to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Kusum and their three children and four grandchildren. His son, the Rt. Rev. Sanjay Thakore, currently the rector at St. James Anglican Church, will assume his father’s duties as Bishop of the Diocese of the South.
The 3rd Memorial Service for Bishop Vincent Thakore will be held at 11 am on Saturday May 31, 2008 at Flanigan Funeral Home Chapel followed by a reception. The funeral home phone number is 770 932-1133. The address is 4400 South Lee Street, Buford, GA, 30518, and is located near the Mall of Georgia. Click HERE for more information...
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested and may be sent to Mrs. Kusum Thakore at: 4481 Fallowfield Lane, Lilburn, GA 30047. You may email Bishop Sanjay Thakore at sanjaythakore@hotmail.com if you have questions or to support this memorial service or any of our outreach ministry work.
Bishop Vincent Thakore completed forty years of ministry and work having a significant social impact on Atlanta for the good of all citizens he touched. He worked with numbers of congressional representatives and senators of Georgia to improve working and living conditions for the poor and underprivileged. This afforded him the opportunity to meet and shake hands with Presidents Nixon, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton. Additionally, he worked closely with Senators Max Cleland, Wyche Fowler, Mack Mattingly and Sam Nunn to assist numerous Atlanta citizens.
Bishop Thakore began his clerical duties in 1969 when he was student pastor at St Mark’s Methodist church. That same year, he preached in Old St. George’s Church at Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia under the direction of Bishop Fred Pierce Corson. In 1971, he preached in Park Street United Methodist Church under the direction of Bishop Owen Smith.
He became the third president of the Indian Association for all the colleges in Georgia working with other leaders in the Indian Association, namely Dr. Raj Chawla and Mr. Bugga. He helped, among many things, Indian students, families and workers adjust to America. He also worked with Chinese, Taiwanese, Latino and Philippino associations. Moreover, he received numerous awards from Boys Club of America and the United Way for helping youth at risk.
In 1973, he obtained two masters degrees. He graduated from Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) with a Masters in Divinity where he studied under the direction of former president Dr. Oswald P. Bronson and Harvey Richardson. He graduated from Candler School of Theology, Emory University with a Masters in Christian Education. His work was guided by former president James Laney.
In 1979, Colonel Benjamin S. Malcolm, Post Commander at Fort Mc Pherson, personally awarded Bishop Thakore the Commander’s Letter of Appreciation. At Fort Mc Pherson, he was a trailblazer for women’s rights creating non-traditional jobs for women. This brought him recognition from then Governor Jimmy Carter, Mayor Maynard Jackson, and Congressman Andrew Young.
Following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, Bishop Thakore was a “tentmaker” serving in his ecclesiastical duties without pay while earning his money in the secular world. He always managed to take the Lord God with him into his work. During his time as director of career development for CETA (the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act), he helped women to obtain equal opportunity in the workforce. Working for the underprivileged and disadvantaged, he visited the projects for City of Atlanta. He was also involved in career development for disadvantaged youth and adults, creating jobs at Coca Cola, and with the state and local government. He had been involved in running the Adult Basic Education GED program, and opened the way in helping to prepare senior citizens for GED.
For sixteen years, Bishop Thakore worked at AT&T as representative for the Communication Workers of America (CWA). During that time, he represented AT&T at the Democratic Convention. He was president of 4A South Asian Association at AT&T, an organization which promoted cultural awareness. In 1994, AT&T awarded him the prestigious RAVE Award, flying him to the ceremony in New Jersey to receive it from the hands of the AT&T CEO. In 1996, Bishop Thakore represented AT&T as envoy to Tanzania for the National Olympic Committee.
Vincent Thakore was ordained Bishop at St. James Anglican Church in Sandy Springs, Georgia. In 2001, he became the endorser for Anglican chaplains to support the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Later that year, Counsel General of Britain, Michael Bates, invited him to bless the dinner celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Bishop Vincent Thakore was patriarch of the Diocese of the South and St. James Anglican Church. He was past president of the ACIC (Anglican Church International Communion) and friend to numerous churches, parishes, missions, clergy, and congregations throughout the world.
Bishop Thakore leaves behind a loving family and relatives among whom, his aunt, Dr. Shan Yohan, is a long-time leader in the Georgia United Methodist Church.
This wonderful man of God also leaves behind a worldwide family of clergy and parishioners, who have known, respected and loved him, appreciated his guidance, and admired his wisdom and valiant efforts for the Anglican Church and for Christ, our Lord. God rest his soul. + |