Former speaker of the House, state Senator and Florida State University President John Thrasher died May 30 following a cancer diagnosis in April. He was 81.
A statement from FSU said a private burial is planned in Orange Park and a celebration of life will be held Aug. 19 at FSU’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
Born Dec. 18, 1943, in South Carolina, Thrasher grew up in Jacksonville and received a bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University in 1965.
After college, he joined the U.S. Army, serving first in Germany and later in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars. Thrasher attained the rank of captain before his honorable discharge in 1970.
He returned to Tallahassee and received a law degree from the FSU College of Law in 1972.
Thrasher began his political career when he was elected to the Clay County School Board in 1986.
He was elected to the state House of Representatives 1992 and reelected without opposition in 1994, 1996 and 1998. He was speaker of the House 1999-2000.
In 2009, he was elected to the state Senate in a special election to represent the 8th District, which included parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia counties. After redistricting in 2012, he represented the 6th District, which included all of St. Johns, Flagler and Putnam, as well as parts of Volusia County.
In September 2009, Thrasher won the special Republican primary election to succeed the late Sen. Jim King and then won the general election in October.
Thrasher won the 2010 Republican primary by a vote of 61.8% to 38.2% and then won the November general election.
He was a member of the Senate until 2014.
“John was a tremendous person, and he lived a big life with many accomplishments and successes. Chief among these was his marriage to Jean. Their lifelong love and devotion to one another was evident to anyone who saw them together," state Senate President Ben Albritton said in a memo sent to his colleagues.
"As I reflect on the impact John had on so many, my thoughts and prayers are with Jean who supported John in every endeavor over a marriage that spanned six decades."
In September 2014, the board of trustees of FSU appointed Thrasher to become the university’s 15th president. He was formally confirmed to the position at an investiture ceremony in March 2015. He was in office until August 2021.
“John’s love for Florida State University was truly inspiring. As an alumnus, legislator, trustee and President, he devoted his life to elevating FSU’s national reputation and helping the university reach new heights in student success, academic excellence and research,” FSU President Richard McCullough said in a statement.
“John had a remarkable ability to bring people together with his warmth, humor and unmistakable charm. His legacy will live on in the spirit of Florida State and in the lives of all those he touched," McCullough said.
"Our hearts and prayers are with Jean, his children, grandchildren and all those who loved him as we remember and honor the life of a truly great Floridian.”
Thrasher is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean, also known as GiGi; their children, Jennifer Jordan (Don), Jon (Millie) Thrasher, and Julie (Mark) Weinberg; and eight grandchildren — Ashley Williamson (Matt), Will Jordan; Mason, Merritt and Maddox Weinberg; and Walker, Rebecca and Jacob Thrasher.