John Thrasher arrived at Florida State University in 1961 as a first-generation college student and went on to leave an indelible mark as its 15th president. In between, he became a decorated veteran, a legislative leader and a statesman. But to those who filled Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on Tuesday to honor his life, he was remembered just as often for his warmth, humor and devotion to family.
Thrasher, who died May 30 at the age of 81, was celebrated by friends, colleagues and family as a man who lived out his values — faith, family, service and love for FSU — with steadiness and joy.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who delivered the eulogy, spoke of Thrasher’s rare gift for leadership and the way he made those around him better.
Bush said that when he was first running for governor in the late 1990s, Thrasher offered him three pieces of advice: Connect with people through stories, learn how the state budget works and respect the legislative process.
“I tried hard on the first, but the truth is, John was the one who did the rest,” Bush said. “He was a master of the process, and because of his leadership, Tallahassee was changed forever.”
Bush called Thrasher “the epitome of a servant leader,” someone who deflected praise, shared credit and never let ego get in the way.
“For a guy as successful at everything he did — a warrior, a school board member, a legislator, speaker of the House, president of his beloved FSU — John Thrasher had one of the smallest egos,” he said. “He was tough, but always kind-hearted.”
The former governor also remembered Thrasher’s humor. After a legislative session in 2000, Thrasher showed up at the governor’s office in a white lab coat, carrying a stethoscope and the state budget. “He announced he was there to make sure I had a heart,” Bush said, drawing laughter from the audience.
And then there was football. Bush told of being invited to a celebration after FSU’s 1999 national championship and showing up in the cold January weather wearing a blue sweater.
“John gave me two choices: Walk out there and get booed or go find something in garnet and gold. Thankfully, I chose the latter,” Bush said. “For the next 20 years, he loved bringing up that story and always ended it with his trademark booming laugh.”
Bush urged those in attendance to take Thrasher’s example as a guide: Strive to have a servant’s heart. Be humble. Cherish your friendships. Work hard at being a great spouse and parent. And find strength in a spiritual faith.
“Be like John Thrasher.”
Florida State President Richard McCullough said Thrasher’s impact could be seen in the people who came to pay tribute: faculty, staff, students, lawmakers, veterans, community leaders, friends and family.
“John Thrasher was a giant in Florida politics and a true statesman,” McCullough said. “He was a Vietnam War veteran, a lawyer, a legislator, lobbyist, and the 15th president of Florida State University. In every role he brought wisdom, integrity and a steady hand. His deep faith guided him in everything that he did. It inspired him to serve others, to strive for the greater good.”
McCullough highlighted Thrasher’s role in establishing the FSU College of Medicine and his determination to see FSU rise among the nation’s top universities.
“He made sure that every student who came here had a chance to succeed,” McCullough said. “Nothing made him happier than shaking the hands of graduates as they crossed the commencement stage.”
FSU Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Kyle Clark said when he thinks of Thrasher, the first word that comes to mind is “genuine.” No matter the setting, Clark said, people always got the same man, someone who was approachable, kind and completely at ease.
A short walk across campus could stretch on as Thrasher stopped to greet every person he passed. “Lunch was great once we got there,” Clark said, “but it could take us 20 minutes just to walk to the parking lot. Sometimes I would just leave him there.”
Those interactions, Clark said, reflected Thrasher’s joy in connecting with people, whether posing for selfies with students or chatting with staff.
Clark also remembered how often Thrasher reminded him to put family first. “His devotion to Jean, his children and grandchildren was evident in every story he told and every smile he wore,” Clark said. “He constantly reminded me to prioritize my own family and served as a role model in how to do it.”
For McCullough, Thrasher’s mentorship was personal, too. When he interviewed to be FSU’s president, Thrasher sought him out afterward.
“I was immediately struck by his powerful charisma and his warm presence,” McCullough said. “He made me feel that I belonged here, and that I was worthy to succeed him. To follow John Thrasher, President Thrasher, was truly to be standing on the shoulders of a giant.”
Former Trustee Chair Ed Burr recalled the protests that met Thrasher’s hiring in 2014 and the way he responded: by listening.
“Those protesters only knew John as a politician,” Burr said. “They didn’t know him as a loving husband to Jean, a devoted father and grandfather, a decorated veteran and war hero or someone who devoutly loved Florida State University. But John did what he always did. He listened. And many of those critics became supporters.”
Burr also spoke of Thrasher’s impact on FSU’s rise: finishing a $1.16 billion fundraising campaign, breaking ground on new residence halls, academic buildings and a new Student Union, and helping launch Legacy Hall, the future home of the College of Business.
“The sun never set on Tallahassee without a crane working on FSU’s campus while he was president,” Burr said.
And though Thrasher was known as a die-hard football fan, Burr reminded the audience that he celebrated championships in other sports just as passionately, cheering on softball and soccer players with as much joy as he did at Doak Campbell Stadium.
“John beat back cynicism with hope,” Burr said. “He beat back division with unity. He taught us to lead with honor and humility.”
Thrasher’s family remembered him less as a public figure than as a husband, father and “Papa.”
Jean Thrasher, his wife of 60 years, spoke about the man she called her “sweetheart” and “sweet man.”
“He cared about others. He treated people with respect and dignity. He was sweet to me all the time,” she said. “Most of all, he loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He loved his family. He loved his country. He loved his state. He loved Florida State University. John Thrasher, I was so proud to be your wife. I love you, and I miss you tremendously. But we will carry on because that’s what you would want us to do.”
Their daughter Jennifer recalled his joy in everyday moments with students as much as his achievements as president.
“Some of my favorite memories of my dad at FSU aren’t what you would think,” she said. “They’re about him wandering off during a tour and talking to the custodians, scooping ice cream for students or taking selfies at Westcott Fountain. Everyone mattered to him.”
She also spoke of how he introduced her mother in every speech. “He was proud of his accomplishments, but my mom, his Blue Jean, was part of everything he did.”
Their son Jon spoke of his father’s guiding virtues: faith, love, kindness, respect and gratitude. “If all of us out here can replicate these virtues in our own lives, the world would be a better place,” he said, before leading the audience in the Seminole War Chant, one of his father’s favorite traditions.
And their daughter Julie remembered a man whose faith grounded him through challenges and whose presence defined her childhood.
“He wasn’t just the patriarch of our family. He was the heart of it,” she said. “Sweet Daddy, thank you for loving us so well. Thank you for being our rock. While we grieve this incredible loss, I know your legacy lives on … mostly, your legacy lives through your family, friends and the thousands of lives that you positively impacted.”
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, and raised in Jacksonville, Thrasher was the first in his family to finish high school and attend college. He earned a business degree from FSU in 1965, served in Vietnam — where he was awarded two Bronze Stars and the Army Commendation Medal — and later returned to earn his law degree.
His career stretched across law, politics and higher education. He was unanimously elected speaker of the Florida House in 1998, played a pivotal role in creating the FSU College of Medicine and in 2001 became the university’s first Board of Trustees chair. In 2014, he reached what he called his “dream job” when he was named president of FSU.
His seven-year presidency was marked by momentum. Under his leadership, the university climbed in national rankings, completed its largest fundraising campaign and set records for graduation and retention rates.
Even after retiring, he continued to teach and mentor. A bronze statue of him now stands in Westcott Plaza, smiling with a hand outstretched, as if greeting students.
The service featured performances from FSU’s College of Music, and it was framed by the words of David Swanson, Thrasher’s pastor from First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, who offered a call to worship and later the benediction.
Throughout the ceremony, speakers returned to the values Thrasher often cited as the foundation of his life: God, Jean and Florida State.
In a closing tribute, the Marching Chiefs honored Thrasher’s legacy with a touching rendition of “Hymn to the Garnet and the Gold.”
Honored with Florida Governor’s Medal of Freedom
Thrasher was also posthumously recognized this week by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, one of Florida’s highest honors. He was one of five Floridians awarded for their lasting impact on the state, alongside former U.S. Senator and Gov. Bob Graham, former Gov. Buddy MacKay, musician and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett and Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart.
The award pays tribute to Floridians who have made especially meritorious contributions to the state and its citizens.
Thrasher was recognized for his integrity, humility and devotion to education and public service.
Graham was honored for his decades of leadership in education, conservation and national security; MacKay for his years of public service and international diplomacy; Buffett for his cultural influence and environmental advocacy; and Díaz-Balart for his work defending democracy and human rights.
DeSantis said the recipients “exemplified what it means to be a great Floridian” and praised their contributions to the state.
View a recording of the Celebration of Life honoring President Emeritus John Thrasher.
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the FSU Foundation through three funds named in his honor: the Jean and John Thrasher CARE Endowment, President John E. Thrasher Endowed Scholarship or President John Thrasher Scholarship in Law. Visit johnthrashertribute.fsu.edu/give-gift to contribute.