John Thrasher, a towering figure in Florida politics and former president of Florida State University, has died at the age of 81 after a brief battle with cancer, his family confirmed on Friday.
A longtime Republican leader, Thrasher’s career spanned decades of service in state government and higher education. He served in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, rising to become Speaker of the House, and later returned to his alma mater as the 15th president of FSU from 2014 to 2021.
Thrasher passed away just over a month after publicly revealing his cancer diagnosis, according to a statement from his lobbying firm, The Southern Group, where he resumed work after retiring from FSU.
During his seven-year tenure at Florida State University, Thrasher oversaw a transformative era. Under his leadership, the university launched a $1 billion fundraising campaign, strengthened its national research profile, improved student outcomes, and expanded diversity and inclusion initiatives. He described those years as “the most energizing and rewarding of my professional life.”
A decorated Vietnam War veteran and lifelong public servant, Thrasher also held roles as general counsel for the Florida Medical Association, chair of the FSU Board of Trustees, and leader of the Republican Party of Florida.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis paid tribute on social media, writing: “John was a decorated combat veteran, served the state well as both Speaker of the House and as a Florida senator, and provided great leadership as the president of his alma mater… He made a big difference in the lives of so many in our state.”
Thrasher is survived by his wife Jean, three children, and several grandchildren. His legacy endures in both the political and academic landscapes of Florida, where he helped shape policy, empower institutions, and mentor the next generation of leaders.