A.G. Gancarski
Months after passing away following a cancer battle, the memory of Former House Speaker and Sen. John Thrasher continues to inspire people and offer an example of what a life well-lived looks like.
And he was remembered one more time in Tallahassee Tuesday, in an emotional ceremony that showed the personal side of a political legend.
Thrasher, a first-generation college student who went on to be President of Florida State University, was honored at FSU’s Ruby Diamond Center.
Current FSU President Richard McCullough spoke of Thrasher’s “remarkable life,” noting his “profound impact” on FSU, the communities he represented, the state and the diverse crowd in attendance for the ceremony.
“John Thrasher was a giant in Florida politics and a true statesman,” McCullough said, noting that Thrasher was instrumental as a legislator in key initiatives, including FSU’s College of Medicine.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush recalled meeting with Thrasher during his second, successful campaign for Governor.
“Each time we visited, he gave me the same advice. He said, ‘First, Jeb, you’re too wonky, and your campaign, lay out what you want to do as Governor, not by your 10-point plans to cure the common cold, but tell stories. Campaign in a way where you can connect with people, because you’re not really good at it. Put a human face on your ideas. Second, learn how the budget works, since it drives most everything that exists in Tallahassee. And third, respect the legislative process, have patience to let it work, and I’ll do the rest.'”
Bush went on to describe policy achievements, including reforms that tightened penalties for crime, drove tort reform and led environmental efforts, while increasing funding for child welfare and special needs children and driving educational improvements.
“Truth be told, the elimination of the Board of Regents and the creation of Boards of Trustees happened over a cocktail,” Bush said. “And on a cocktail napkin in Orlando, a Sharpie and a napkin was all it took. John did the rest.”
Bush also noted that for Thrasher, a “conservative equivalent to Lyndon B. Johnson” and a “master of the legislative process,” policy took precedence over politics.
“We now live in a world where owning the other side through social media and going on cable news is the way that you measure your sense of accomplishment. You know what? I thank God I got to work with John Thrasher in an era where getting stuff done mattered a lot more than virtue signaling.”
Thrasher joked that he was Colonel Tom Parker to Bush’s Elvis Presley, which led Bush to quip that maybe he was a “fat, old Elvis.” Bush also noted that Thrasher gave him the iconic, Godfather-inspired nickname “Veto Corleone.”
Ed Burr, who served as FSU’ Chair of the Board for much of Thrasher’s presidency, said this “Easter Day” was a “day of sadness but also of celebration” to honor a “real man, a man’s man, and a true leader of people.”
Burr and Allan Bense were key to hiring Thrasher, a controversial move in 2014 that saw protests and “safety concerns” because people were loath to have a “strong Republican politician” helm the University.
“They didn’t know him the way we know him,” Burr said, “as the great reconciler, with an ability to bring people together and focus on a mission.”
Ultimately, Thrasher met with many of his most strident critics and won them over before “transforming the campus” with new academic buildings, a new student union, a new College of Business, a refurbished golf course and a revamped Doak Campbell Stadium.
“The sun never set on Tallahassee without a crane working on FSU’s campus while he was president,” Burr remarked.
He closed by summing up his old friend’s legacy, urging him to “rest easy” as his family was surrounded by love and FSU was in “good hands.”
“John, you beat back cynicism on this campus with hope. You beat back division with unity. John, you beat back tragedy with compassion and action. And John, you taught us to lead with honor and humility.”
Thrasher’s wife, Jean Thrasher, offered some personal memories.
“Back in the day, John was called a lot of names,” she said. “One was the Speaker. He was so proud to become the Speaker. He even made me call him Speaker sometimes.”
Breaking down in tears, she remembered how “proud” he was to be called Senator, then President of FSU, noting that he always “recognized” her in his speeches during his decades in the public eye.
Noting that he rarely got sick, she pointed out the irony of him having “represented doctors for 20 years” but did not like to go to the doctor.
“He didn’t like shots. He didn’t like IVs, blood tests,” she said. “But with this cancer, he had all that and more.”
Despite falling to cancer, he was “determined and amazing,” a “warrior” and a “lion” who “never gave up hope” and “never complained.”
“He gave us comfort when we all needed it the most,” Jean Thrasher said, vowing to “carry on” and “be strong” because “that’s what he wanted us to do.”
Daughter Jennifer offered more personal memories, including remembering him “wandering off during a tour and talking to custodians” while FSU President, holding ice cream socials with students and “celebrating” FSU football triumphs with Coach Mike Norvell.
To his dying day, and beyond, Thrasher will be a “Forever Nole.”
“I know one day I will dance with you in Heaven again,” she said.
Ashley Williamson, the oldest grandchild of “Papa Bear,” recalled how Thrasher taught her to “live life humbly and kindly,” and recounted family trips and “game days in the President’s box,” as well as him conferring her FSU degree.
