TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Former Florida State University President John Thrasher passed away at the age of 81 Friday morning in Orlando, according to a statement from his family.
Last month, WCTV reported that the former 15th university president was battling cancer.
“The family would like to thank everyone for their well wishes, visits, and prayers during the last month and express their deep gratitude for the doctors and nurses who cared for him at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, Orlando Health, and Cornerstone Hospice,” his loved ones said.
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Thrasher also served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of the Florida Senate, according to the statement.
Steve MacNamara, a longtime friend and former colleague of Thrasher, described the former FSU president as kind and a great leader, saying Friday’s news was gut-wrenching and hard to process.
“It hurts. It’s just gut-wrenching,” MacNamara said. “He felt he had lived a good life and he had.”
MacNamara said he knew Thrasher for more than 50 years and believes Thrasher’s legacy and impact will live on through the great work he did.
“He made them feel special because he listened and he was willing to change his mind,” he said.
More than just a leader, Thrasher is remembered by many as a “family man.”
“It was a sanctuary being with his family,” MacNamara said.
Although he is heartbroken, he also looks back fondly on the good days he had with Thrasher.
“His friendship you know I’m a great talker, he’s a great listener,” he said. “I think the great thing about John Thrasher is that he touched so many people in the community that everyone will get to remember him in a different way.”
Liz Eggert-Lovell worked alongside John Thrasher for more than seven years.
“He was the best human being,” Eggert-Lovell said. “It’s hard to know that I won’t see him again.”
He was a leader the state of Florida will always remember.
“He was all about faith and family and Florida State, he really lived his faith,” MacNamara said. “He felt he had lived a good life and he had.”
A private burial is expected to be held in Orange Park, followed by a celebration of his life at FSU’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on August 19, according to Thrasher’s family.
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