Terry Thrasher

Terry was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 6, 1948 to the late Frances Nutting Reese. He was raised in Greenville, SC, but spoke often of fond memories from a family farm in Mount Clemens, Michigan, where he spent significant time as a child. In 1986, Terry and his wife and children moved to a tract of land in the foothills of northern Pickens County, SC, near Jones Gap State Park, where he developed a deep love and respect for the property on which he lived. He was most content while working by the South Saluda River on his tractor, teaching his grandchildren about the property or simply sitting by a fire on the land he loved.

Terry graduated high school from Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville, Georgia, a source of great pride. At Gordon, he was voted Class President and Best Personality, a distinction that followed him through life, as anyone who spent any amount of time with him can attest.

Following his graduation from East Tennessee State University, Terry began a 26-year career with the Federal Judiciary division of the US Court System. His ease with people, natural leadership style and clear-eyed sense of fairness saw him rise through the ranks, retiring as the Deputy Chief of Federal Pre-Trial Services for South Carolina in 2000.

As passionate as Terry was about his work, he was arguably more passionate about his hobbies, chiefly among them fast cars and BBQ. A casual interest in BBQ blossomed into a fascination, as Terry began competing and judging in regional contests, culminating in his certification as a Senior Judge with the Kansas City BBQ Assn. Even when not competing, his greatest joy was cooking by the river for his many friends and family or BBQ’ing for college football tailgates in Charleston or Columbia.

Terry also cultivated a deep passion for auto racing, both as a participant and a spectator. Beginning in the 1970s, Terry raced Formula Vees in hill climbs, most notably at Chimney Rock. In his later years he enjoyed tinkering with and driving his Porsche 914 and his Mazda MX-5, and attending IMSA race weeks at Sebring, Florida.

Terry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sandy, his sons, Drew Thrasher (Julie), grandsons Luke and Caleb of Henderson, NV; Ryan Thrasher (Childs), grandsons Alexander and James of Charleston; his sister Jo Pringle (Lou Astle) of Greenville; his sister-in-law Cindy Kay (Charlie) of Greenville; nephews Bill Kay (Hayley) of Atlanta, David Hartness (Adrian) of Isle of Palms; and Sean Hartness (Courtney) of Greenville.

Services will be held at 2:00 on Thursday, January 18th, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Travelers Rest, SC and live streamed at https://trinitytr.org/special-worship-services/. The family will greet friends at a reception immediately following the service at the new City Club of Greenville, formerly the Commerce Club, 55 Beattie St. Greenville, SC.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at PRISMA Hospital, 5th floor, PRISMA’s Cancer Institute, Linville Court at The Cascades and VIA Hospice for their compassion and care during the last month.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Challenge To Conquer Cancer at c3ride.org or Trinity Presbyterian Church, at trinitytr.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Thrasher family.