JESSE FRANK THRASHER

LAMAR-Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church for Jesse Frank Thrasher, 91, Lamar, who died Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. A light lunch reception/visitation for all friends and family will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. A graveside committal service with full military honors will be conducted at 2 p.m., at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church or Barton County Senior Center, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be left online at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include a daughter, Jeanie Burkhardt and husband Bill, Pueblo, Colo.; a son, David Thrasher and wife Barb, Lamar; two brothers, John Thrasher, San Diego, Calif. and Jack Thrasher, Lamar and three grandchildren, Melissa Burkhardt-Shields and husband Forrest, Colorado Springs, Colo., Todd Burkhardt and wife Jen, Centennial, Colo. and Tai Thrasher, Springfield.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Dave, Paul, Marion and Doug Thrasher and a sister, Anna Mae Rock.

Mr. Thrasher was born Nov. 7, 1923, in Gravette, Ark., to Eddie and Myra (Jesse) Thrasher. On May 12, 1945, at Pittsburg, Kan., he married Violet Higgins and they made their home in Lamar. Less than three months later he entered the US Army, serving through the end of World War II. Returning home, he began a career that spanned 43 years at Thorco Industries.

In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he will be remembered as a loyal friend and great neighbor. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor, whether it was big, juicy tomatoes from his garden or warm chocolate chip cookies from his oven. A charter member of Lamar Art League, he was a talented and accomplished artist, who made nature come alive on canvas with his oil paints.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Lamar, where he served many years as a deacon and participated in the Fishermen's Class.

Frank and Violet shared their love and their lives for 57 years until her death on Jan. 27, 2002.