Daniel "Dan" Thrasher

Daniel Thrasher, 67, of Jonesboro, AR, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020 at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born August 2, 1952, in Alicia to the Late Bolden & Ruth Thrasher.

Dan was a 1970 graduate from Pocahontas High School. After high school, Dan proudly joined the United States Navy. Shortly after, during a deployment to the Philippines, he met and married the love of his life, Mercy, and started a beautiful family. As a devoted family man, he was torn leaving them during every deployment, so he decided to continue his education, in hopes to find a career that enabled him to spend more time with his family. Shortly after earning his Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois, he left active duty service and moved his family to his hometown. He transferred into the Naval Reserves, and began his career at the United States Postal Service in Jonesboro, AR in 1986. After 18 years of dedicated service to the USPS, he retired as a supervisor in 2004. During his 31 years of distinguished Naval service, Dan was a Vietnam Veteran, served in Operation Enduring Freedom in both a military and civilian capacity, and provided civilian support during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning many Medals and Accreditations. He retired in 2003 as a Naval Commander.

As a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Dan was a devout Christian and strong family man. He always wanted his family to be together as much as possible. His final wish was honored by spending his last days at home with his wife, children & grandchildren.  He enjoyed gardening, yard work, listening to his favorite oldies, and was an avid reader of books based on military history. His favorite moments were attending frequent family gatherings, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, and watching all his grandkids in their sports & academic events. He was a strong, yet patient leader, and will be greatly missed by all.

In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by a brother, Boyce Thrasher.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Mercedita Thrasher of the home; son, Dennis (Shannon) Thrasher of Charles Town, West Virginia; 3 daughters: Violeta Simek of Jonesboro, Jessica (Shannon) Roberson of Jonesboro, Melanie (Casey) Chester of Pocahontas; 10 grandchildren: Dylan (Samantha) Ferrell, Christian Thrasher, Shelby (Brett) Robinson, Jordan Ferrell, Jacob Thrasher, Clayton Henderson, Madigan Chester, Aidan Roberson, Lauren Chester, Jacalyn Chester and 1 great grandchild, Wilder Robinson; one brother, E.B. (Donna) Thrasher of Glenn Pool, Oklahoma; 2 sisters, Betty Hampton of Fair Dealing, Missouri, MaeDean Thrasher of Lemay, Missouri; and many relatives from the Philippines that he loved greatly.

Funeral service will be Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 11:00 am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Alphonse Gollapalli officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am prior to the service.

Face coverings must be worn to enter the building and social distancing will be in effect.