'Epitome of a servant leader': Family, FSU, friends celebrate the life of John Thrasher

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Filling up the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at Florida State University, hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered Aug. 19 to pay tribute to the late President Emeritus John Thrasher, who died in late May after battling cancer.
Amid the somber circumstance, loved ones remembered the 81-year-old Army veteran, former Florida House speaker and former state senator as a loving family man, a true leader of people and the 15th president of FSU – a role he often called the "best job ever."
When FSU President Richard McCullough first met Thrasher after being interviewed for the president's position on campus, he said he was 'immediately struck by his strong charisma and warm presence.'
'I knew at that moment that if I was lucky enough to be the president of Florida State University and follow President Thrasher, I would truly be standing on the shoulders of a giant,' McCullough said. 'When (my wife) Jai and I came to FSU, John and (his wife) Jean were our first friends. We had so many great memories and fun dinners, and John gave me lots of advice, which I needed."
McCullough described his predecessor – who he would play golf with and knew was always a phone call away – as a giant in Florida politics and a family man whose deep faith guided him in everything he did.
As someone who was well-acquainted with Thrasher through politics, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was among many former and current political leaders who attended the Tuesday afternoon service, and he gave the eulogy.
Noting Thrasher's sense of humor and trademark booming laugh, he recalled the 2000 legislative session when that year's budget was in his hands for approval, and how Thrasher showed up to his office unannounced with a large contingent of staff and members of the press. He was dressed in a white lab coat – carrying a copy of the annual budget and a stethoscope – and said he was there to make sure Bush 'had a heart' as he lobbied for several FSU initiatives.
Bush took the time to highlight some of Thrasher's achievements, calling him the godfather of FSU's medical school and the epitome of a servant leader. 'I love you, friend,' Bush said at the end of the eulogy.
Thrasher's wife says he was an 'honest, hardworking man'
A couple of speakers at Thrasher's Celebration of Life service Tuesday noted how Thrasher would often say his success came down to three things: God, his wife Jean and FSU – in that order.
Senior Pastor David Swanson of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, which Thrasher attended along with Jean, took part in the memorial service, sharing that it was at Thrasher's request.
During a brief sermon, Swanson described Thrasher by referring to a biblical scripture that was important to him – Micah 6:8, which says to 'act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.'
'John Thrasher had that verse hung on his office wall, and he looked at it and lived by it every single day,' Swanson said. Family members also testified to Thrasher's strong faith. Despite the struggle of battling cancer, Jean said Thrasher never gave up hope and never complained.
'John was an honest, hardworking man,' she said. 'He cared about others, he treated them with respect and dignity and he set a good example. I just called him a sweet man, but most of all, he loved his Lord Jesus Christ, his family, his country and his state. He loved Florida State University – and he would start to like the Gators.'
Thrasher's daughter Julie Weinberg – one of the three children – shared that when she told him she was dating her husband Mark Weinberg, a University of Florida alumnus, he said 'I'd rather you date a Democrat than a Gator.' The audience burst into laughter.
'Holidays, are not gonna be the same without you, dad, especially Thanksgiving,' Thrasher's daughter Jennifer Jordan said. 'But we will carry on the Thrasher dressing recipe, one of my favorite traditions with you and mom.'
More of Thrasher's loved ones shared fond memories, including his oldest grandchild Ashley Williamson who said Thrasher would sing Elvis Presley songs while playing his air guitar. His only son Jon Thrasher ended his speech by leading the audience in the FSU war chant as everyone did the tomahawk chop in the former president's honor.
'John Thrasher's legacy lives on'
Given Thrasher's many accomplishments while leading FSU – including his key role in the formation of the College of Medicine and helping the university move up by over 20 spots in national rankings among other public institutions – McCullough said students would tell him he had 'very large shoes to fill' when he stepped into the president's role.
As a first-generation college student, Thrasher was also passionate about supporting other first-generation college students, and McCullough highlighted the work he did to build FSU's Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) into a nationally recognized program.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial contributions be made to the FSU Foundation through the Jean and John Thrasher CARE Endowment, the President John E. Thrasher Endowed Scholarship or the President John Thrasher Scholarship in Law.
'John Thrasher's legacy lives on in the university, the state of Florida that he helped to shape, and in the lives that he touched,' McCullough said.
He was also remembered for being one of the biggest FSU football fans and for making his way down to the end zone at the end of games to hug the university's players.
"We talked about John being in heaven and how he's sitting there with some of his old buddies,' former FSU Board of Trustees Chair Ed Burr said. 'I think he's hanging with Bobby Bowden, and I think they're talking about all the times they beat those dang Gators.'
A reception immediately followed the packed service schedule that consisted of selections by the FSU College of Music's Choral Ensemble, the 'Hymn to the Garnet and the Gold' by the FSU Marching Chiefs, and powerful solo performances of spiritual hymns such as 'How Great Thou Art' – which FSU's Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Kyle Clark said Thrasher would often sing aloud in his presidential office on campus.
'John, you taught us to lead with honor and humility,' Burr said. 'Rest easy, my friend. Your family is surrounded by loved ones, FSU is in great hands and the future is bright.'
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at [e-mail]. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU, family and friends remember President Emeritus John Thrasher
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