Jerry Wayne Thrasher, 85, of Paris went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at his home.
Funeral services have been set for Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Fortenberry officiating. A private family interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Pallbearers will be Michael Barbee, Scott Barbee, Tony Bolyard, Mitch Morris, John Simmons, and Andrew Thrasher. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Lassiter and Philip Risinger.
Jerry was born November 6, 1940, to Grace Hinds and William Robert Thrasher in Paris. He graduated from West Lamar High School and Paris Junior College. He married the love of his life, Sonya Raye Sherwood on September 16, 1961. Their union lasted 62 wonderful years until her death on August 16, 2024. From that union brought forth his family: son, David, daughter-in-law, Kelli, granddaughters, Meredith and Anna Grace Thurston and her husband, Jaret, and Jerry loved them greatly.
Shortly after marriage, Jerry was called to active duty through the Reserves and he and Sonya were sent to Louisiana. It was at Fort Polk Louisiana that Jerry’s direction in life took a turn. Jerry started making a little extra money sketching. Before he knew it, he had so many orders from other reservists to sketch or paint loved ones that he began contemplating a professional career in art. Jerry and Sonya owned and operated Thrasher’s Art Gallery for 60+ years. They traveled nationwide to art shows, galleries, and to collectors of Thrasher Art. His art work has won over 50 awards for excellence and has been published in magazine and television programming. He always gave God credit for his talent and stated God had blessed him to allow him to make a living doing what he enjoyed. When he was not painting he would be doing “research” which meant he was either fishing, hunting, or training bird dogs. Someone would be hard pressed to find someone that enjoyed the outdoors more than Jerry Thrasher.
Jerry’s parents were charter members of East Paris Baptist Church and Jerry gave his life to the Lord at an early age. He was ordained as a deacon in 1969, and served the Lord in many areas, as a deacon, Sunday school teacher for teens and later senior adults, a vacation bible school worker, choir member, and loved caring for the elderly. At the time of his death he was a member of First Baptist Church
Jerry is survived by his immediate family, brother, Ronnie Thrasher and wife, Linda, sisters-in-law, Linda Sherwood and Jennifer Foster and husband, Clark, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
A special appreciation goes to Platinum Hospice and the nursing staff of PRMC during his short illness. Also, the family extends a special thanks for prayers, cards, and phone calls from his friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your church, ministry, or favorite charity,
Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
On line condolences may be sent to the Thrasher family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
