News Summary
John Thrasher, former Speaker of the Florida House and president of FSU, has passed away at 81 after battling cancer. Tributes from political leaders highlight his contributions to education and public service. Thrasher was instrumental in the establishment of the FSU College of Medicine and significantly impacted student success initiatives during his presidency. He is survived by his wife and three children, with a public celebration of his life planned at FSU.
Orlando, Florida – John Thrasher, a former Speaker of the Florida House and President of Florida State University (FSU), passed away on May 30, 2025, at the age of 81 after a recent cancer diagnosis. His family confirmed the news in a statement released Friday morning, indicating that Thrasher had been undergoing treatment for cancer at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare prior to his death.
Thrasher’s demise has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the community he served and from prominent political figures, including Governor Ron DeSantis. The Governor expressed condolences, drawing attention to Thrasher’s decorated military service as a combat veteran and highlighting his impactful leadership roles in both the legislative and educational sectors.
Born on December 18, 1943, in Columbia, South Carolina, Thrasher spent his formative years in Jacksonville, Florida. He made history in his family by being the first to graduate high school before eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in business from FSU in 1965. Thrasher served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he received two Bronze Stars and the Army Commendation Medal before being honorably discharged in 1970.
Following his military service, Thrasher returned to FSU to pursue a law degree, which he obtained in 1972. His political career began in 1986 when he was elected to the Clay County School Board. In 1992, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, and in 1999 he became Speaker of the House, a position he held until 2000. Thrasher continued his public service in the Florida Senate from 2009 to 2014 and also chaired the Republican Party of Florida.
During his legislative tenure, Thrasher played an instrumental role in the establishment of the FSU College of Medicine, which marked a significant milestone as the first new medical school in the U.S. in two decades at that time. His advocacy for education continued during his presidency at FSU from 2014 to 2021, where he focused on student success initiatives and increased graduate enrollment. Under his leadership, the university also achieved a historic fundraising milestone, receiving a $100 million donation.
Thrasher is remembered for his integrity, leadership, and dedication to education and public service. His contributions have left a lasting imprint on both FSU and the wider community, as evidenced by the tributes flowing from bipartisan political leaders and those within the FSU community.
Thrasher is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Thrasher, and their three children: Jennifer Jordan, Jon Thrasher, and Julie Weinberg, as well as eight grandchildren. A private burial ceremony will take place in Orange Park, Florida, while a public celebration of his life has been scheduled for August 19 at FSU’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
The current FSU President, Richard McCullough, expressed gratitude for Thrasher’s friendship and recognized his commitment to enhancing the university’s reputation and student success initiatives. The extensive condolences and remembrances from the public underscore Thrasher’s indelible impact on education, governance, and the countless lives he touched throughout his distinguished career.
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HERE Resources
Florida State University Mourns the Loss of John Thrasher
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com
- Wikipedia: John Thrasher
- WTXL
- Google Search: John Thrasher FSU
- Florida Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: John Thrasher
- Miami Herald
- Google News: John Thrasher obituary
- WPBF
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TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
