James Lewis Thrasher

He graduated from Pe Ell High School in 1951 then joined the United States Marine Corp in December 1951 serving in the Philippines at Subic Bay until being honorably discharged in 1953. He attended Central Washington University and graduated in 1960 with a Master's Degree in Education. He was married to Mary Sue Stevens from 1958-1988. They had three children; Deborah Ann, Kenneth James, and Sheryl Lynn.

He began his teaching and coaching career at Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, WA in 1960. He moved on to coaching and teaching at Columbia River High in Vancouver, WA, then to Grays Harbor Community College and on to Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, WA. He began his coaching only football career at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and then Weber State College in Ogden, Utah as his last coaching job in 1981. He changed to school administration beginning in 1982 in Goldendale, WA at Goldendale High School as the Assistant Principal. He became the Principal retiring in 1992.

He married Barbara Vanderpool Dodrill Miller on March 10, 2007. They lived in Goldendale until 2014 then moved to Yakima, WA. They built a new home there where he enjoyed residing with Barbara and his pups, Kermit and Chewy.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting and golfing during his active life. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Deborah Ann Galvan in Kennewick, WA; son Kenneth James Thrasher (Rachae) in Norco, CA; and daughter Sheryl Lynn Thrasher in Vancouver, WA. He had two step children Ronda Murphy (Dennis) in Yakima, WA; and Jeff Dodrill (Allison) in Hillsboro, OR. He left behind nine grandchildren; Nichole, Jamie, Justin, Anthony, Matthew, Aleisha, Victor, Garrett and J.J. He had many, many great grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend and coach to all that met him. He will be greatly missed by all.