D. Mel Thrasher

Mel Thrasher went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, in Concrete, Wash., after a lengthy battle with cancer. He and his beloved wife, Lucille, enjoyed 61-and-a-half years of wonderful adventures, starting in the greater Seattle area and stretch-ing from Venezuela to Hawaii and back to Washington. They spent the last 10 years in the southwest corner of the state, moving to Longview in 2001 and to Mossyrock last year. He spent his final days at the home of his daughter, Tracy Woods, enjoying a wonderful 80th birthday in the company of his loving family shortly before a peaceful death.Mel was born Feb. 5, 1932, to Leon and Dora Thrasher in Snoqualmie Falls, Wash., and graduated in 1950 from Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie. He accepted Jesus as his personal savior as a teenager, and he became a devoted Christian.One Saturday in 1951, Mel stopped by the Issaquah, Wash., town carnival and spent the whole evening and all his money at a church booth manned by Lucille Rogers. He made her a Thrasher on Sept. 12, 1952, and moved her into Naval housing in Astoria, Ore. Their daughter, Terri, was born there shortly before he shipped out to fight in Japan and Korea. After serving his country from 1952-56, Mel and his young family moved to Issaquah and Preston, Wash., where their daughter, Tracy, and son, Lance, were born.Among other jobs, Mel was a draftsman for Boeing, a salesman for All Bearing Service in Seattle and a real estate agent. He began a 25-year career with the Seattle Fire Department in 1958. Mel and his fellow firefighters took turns helping each other build homes. He drew his own plans for a large Spanish-style house, which he, his family and friends built in just 1 year, three months and three days. At the time, Mel was also attending college full time and work-ing full time.That home was a blessing to many missionaries and the Thrashers’ pastor’s family, who stayed there after Mel retired from firefighting in 1982. He and Lucille left to serve as dorm parents at a missionary children’s school in Venezuela for two years. Afterward, they volunteered their time at Maui Christian Bookshop in Kahului, Maui. Their 12 years in Hawaii was a highlight of their lives, as they enjoyed the people, music and snorkeling.In 2001, they moved to Longview to care for their aging parents. Mel worked as a salesman at Elam’s Home Furnishings, and he and Lucille served in area churches, where they made many friends. Mel had a joyful spirit that drew people to him. He was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed boating and spending time in the outdoors. He loved to work, laugh and learn. But mostly he loved God and sharing Him with others in word and deed. He enjoyed singing and listening to worship music and spent countless hours studying his Bible.Mel was preceded in death by his parents and son, Lance Thrasher. In addition to “his bride” Lucille, he is survived by his daughters, Terri Carmichael of Longview and Tracy Woods of Concrete; grand-daughters, Olivia (Mark), Aubrie (Daniel) Stent and Carly Woods; a great-granddaughter, Hannah Stent; a sister, Lorraine (Floyd) Clarke of North Bend, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.Memorial services are planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Mountain View Community Church in Snohomish, and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Mossyrock Community Church.Memorials are suggested to Mountain View Community Church, 12033 Seattle Hill Road, Snohomish, WA 98296, or Mossyrock Community Church, 201 Mossyrock Ave., Mossyrock, WA 98564. Dahl-McVicker is in charge of arrangements.The family thanks you all for your love and prayers.