Joe Eber Thrasher's Obituary
Memorial services for Joe Eber Thrasher, 89, of Longview will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 30, 2017, in the mausoleum of Rosewood Park with Rev. Mary Collier officiating. Joe, surrounded by his family, went to be with the Lord on the evening of June 26th after a brief illness. Joe was born in Jones Prairie, Texas, to parents Frank and Nettie Thrasher on May 14, 1928. After graduating from Rosebud High School, Joe attended San Angelo State Junior College on a football scholarship. He enlisted in the Army in 1946 where he served in Japan with the 11th Airborne Division. There, he completed the Army Airborne School to become a qualified Army parachutist. After an honorable discharge, he completed his education at the University of North Texas, earning a degree in Business Administration.
Joe began his career in Dallas, Texas, as a sales representative for IBM. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Mary Ross Coleman, in September of 1958. In 1967, he moved his family to Longview, Texas. He owned and operated Longview Typewriter and Office Supply until his retirement in 1994.
Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Mary Ross Thrasher, and his three children, Robert Ross Thrasher of Killeen, Sara Thrasher Bruyere and husband Cris of Longview, and Sandy Thrasher Gilbert and husband John of Houston. Five grandchildren: Sara Alexis Graves and husband Dustin, Robert Cristopher Bruyere Jr., Blake Coleman Bruyere and fiancé Katelyn Kitchens, Mary Margaret Gilbert, and Melissa Caroline Gilbert. Great grandchildren: Grace Morgan Graves, Allie Kate Graves, and Brylee Mae Bruyere. Surviving siblings are Shirley Burton of Pasadena, California, Russell Thrasher of Capitan, New Mexico, Bob Thrasher and wife Betty Ann of Temple, and Kenneth Thrasher and wife Patsy of Dallas.
The most important things in life to Joe were his family, his faith, his country, and the land beneath his feet. He adored and loved his family, he was a regular attendee at First United Methodist Church, where he sat in the same spot every Sunday, and he was a true patriot who loved the red, white, and blue. His favorite pastime was spending his days at the family property.
The family would like to thank the caretakers from Comfort Keepers Fay, Olive, and Shay, as well as HeartsWay Hospice nurses Susan and Tim. Each of these people compassionately cared for Joe during his illness.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 North Fredonia, Longview, Texas 75601. Memorials can also be made to HeartsWay Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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