John Henry Thrasher, 99, peacefully passed from this earth on July 21, 2019 at Songbird Lodge in Brownwood, Texas.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 2 pm at North Lake Community Church, 3131 Harbor Drive, May, Texas officiated by Pastor Ron Keener.
The family will receive visitors at the church 1 pm prior to the service. The funeral is under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home, Early.
John was born on June 17, 1920 in Boaz, Alabama. John was the seventh of 13 children born to Elias Thrasher and Lucy Rodgers Thrasher. John joined the US Army in February, 1942. As a veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Greatest Generation. John was in the Infantry where he achieved Marksman Status, earned five Bronze Stars, and a Good Conduct Medal in the European Theater of Operations.
On December 23, 1941, John married Lydia Bates and, in his words, began “a honeymoon which lasted 69 years”. When John returned from the war in 1945, John and Lydia left on a train for a new life out West. While having breakfast near the train station in Lubbock, Texas, John was offered a job in Sundown, Texas and the two decided to stay. Another job opportunity a couple of years later led them to their home of almost 40 years in Andrews, Texas.
John and Lydia’s family grew over the next 7 years with the birth of three children, John Michael, Patsy Lee, and Steve Allan.
John worked for Andrew’s County for 36 years until his retirement and move to Thunderbird Bay on Lake Brownwood in 1985. John and Lydia’s life then included fishing, daily walks and visits with many friends around Thunderbird Bay, and always a project or toy to “tinker” on.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia, and daughter, Patsy Lee Lemons in 2010, and eleven siblings. He is survived by a sister, Iva Walker of Barberton, Ohio; son, John Michael Thrasher and wife, Ann Haines of Port Orchard, Washington; and son, Steve Allan Thrasher and wife, Jamey Jo of North Lake Brownwood. John has 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers family would like donations made to North Lake Community Church, 3131 Harbor Drive, May, Texas 76857.
