JOHN ROBERT LETROBE THRASHER

John Robert Letrobe Thrasher, 96, of Deer Park, Md., died May 12,

1982 in Garrett Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient

for three weeks.

Born at Deer Park January 14, 1886, he was the son of the late

Benjamin T. and Margaret (Williams) Thrasher.

Mr. Thrasher worked on the Truesdell Farm and Bottling House

until 1918, when he became employed by the B&O Railroad in the

bridge and building department. For many years he lived in camp

cars stationed at Keyser, W. Va. and later was moved to

Cumberland. In September 1947 he was retired because of

disability and fully retired in 1950.

On July 25, 1981, at a dinner in his honor, Mr. Thrasher was

presented with a 70 year Masonic pin and emblem by Dr. Bernard E.

Rothman, Silver Spring, Md. Most Worshipful Grand Master of

Masons in Maryland. Mr. Thrasher became a member of Oakland

Lodge No., 192, A. F. & A. M., on July 11, 1911.

He was a charter member and honorary chaplain of the Deer Park

Community Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Thrasher helped to

build and maintain the first Fire Hall and was builder and

general repairman at all carnivals.

He was a member of the Deer Park Lutheran Church.

On February 8, 1911 he and Grace G. Marley traveled to Oakland

from Deer Park in a horse and buggy and were married at the home

of Rev. Edmund Manges, pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

They celebrated their 71st anniversary on February 8th this year.

Mr. Thrasher is survived by his widow, Grace G. (Marley)

Thrasher, and two sons, Harrison Thrasher and Carl W., both of

Deer Park, and two daughters, Mrs. Frances Comp, Deer Park, and

Mrs. Margaret Reeder, Annandale, Va., nine grandchildren and 15

great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Lambert L. Thrasher.

Friends were received at the Durst Funeral Home, Oakland, Md.

Services were conducted there on May 15th at 2:00 p.m. with the

Rev. Franklin Mick, of the Deer Park United Methodist Church,

officiating. Interment was in the Deer Park Cemetery.

The Deer Park Community Volunteer held a memorial service on May

13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Funeral Home; Oakland Masonic Lodge held a

memorial service there at 7:30 p.m. on May 14th.

Pallbearers, all members of the Deer Park Community Volunteer

Fire Department, were Leo Smith, Edward Sollars, P. G. Arnold,

Glen O'Brien, Harley Wildesen and Thomas Beckman.

Mr. Thrasher was a regular member of the Society for many years.

(Published in the Glades Star, September, 1982)