Donald N Thrash

Donald "Donnie" N. Thrash, 70, of Holts Summit, passed away Monday, February 20, 2017, at St. Josephs Bluffs. He was born October 18, 1946, in Jefferson City, Missouri, a son of the late Harold F. and Lena (Maasen) Thrash. He was a graduate of Helias High School, and went on to attend Lincoln University. On October 9, 1976, Donnie was united in marriage in Jefferson City to Amy Abernathy, who survives at their home. Donnie worked for Groner-Picker Engineers, Colonial Tap Room, United Distributors for 34 years until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked for Riley Chevrolet. He was a veteran of the United States Army from 1968-1970 during the Vietnam Conflict. Donnie was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, American Legion Post #5, AMVETS #153, VFW #1003 Honor Guard, Knights of Columbus #1054, American Quarter Horse Association, Team PBR, Riders Relief Fund, and Lincoln Blue Tigers Athletic Club. He was the 1997 President of Jefferson City Jays Football Boosters, was a Missouri High School Football Official for 27 years until 2014, and a Sidelines Official for Lincoln University Blue Tigers Football. Donnie was a volunteer for the Sheltered Workshop Bar-B-Que, Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest, Cystic Fibrosis Hoof-A-Thon, SIDS Bar-B-Que, and Pony Express Rider with 6th Missouri Calvary for Special Olympics, and was a former Jefferson City Jaycee. In high school, he participated in basketball, track, and football, where he was a Class "L" All-District Guard. Donnie was an avid horseman, as he showed, raised, trained, and bred American Quarter Horses. He was Show-Me Circuit Yearling Halter Horse Champion 1982-83-84-88, Reserve Champion 85-87-89-90-91, showed at the Missouri State Fair and Kansas City American Royal, and received his 35 year buckle (2012) from Cross Country Trail Ride, Eminence, Missouri. Donnie played for Rippeto Carpet Missouri Men's State Fast-Pitch Softball Champions 1973-74, and the Jeff City Clowns. He played-managed the Show-Me Merchants and Boyce-Schrimpf "Cajun Kings", and for 11 years had the DT Open Golf Tournament, and played rugby for Westgate Stags. Donnie was the former lead-singer for "Aesop & the Fables". He enjoyed horseback riding, riding his Harley "Otis", watching and going to bullridings and Alabama football games. He also enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren's activities, officiating high school football games with their crew, the VFW #1003 Honor Guard, and the Knights of Columbus "Power Hour". Donnie loved his wife, family, his friends (both of them), his horses, his dog "Boss", granddogs "Buster, Cap, Brutus and Bogey", his Bud-Light, Arris Pizza, Greasy Bob's Pizza, Pizza Hut Wings, and Alabama Crimson Tide Football. "ROLL TIDE"!!!!! Along with his wife Amy, Donnie is also survived by one daughter: Ashley Gresham (Adam) of Jefferson City; one son: Donald Justin "DJ" Thrash (Kara) of Jefferson City; three grandsons: Cole, Myles and Grey of Jefferson City; three granddaughters: Molly, Bridget and Raegan of Jefferson City; one sister: Joann Groner (Richard) of Jefferson City; sister-in-laws: Lee Thrash of Plano, Texas; Kay Haefner, Pat Reinhard (Don) of Jefferson City; Beth Bacon (Larry) of Brighton, Michigan; brother-in-law: Rob Abernathy (Kathy) of Jefferson City; 11 nieces and eight nephews. Donnie was also preceded in death by his parents; brother: Robert Thrash; granddaughter: Sadie Elizabeth Gresham; and brothers-in-law: Richard Groner and Ron Haefner. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2017, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2017, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home with Fr. Eric Groner and Fr. Ignazio Medina officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Resurrection Cemetery and will be escorted by the American Legion Riders. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Missouri, c/o Sally Hicks, R.R. 1, Box 450, Ava, MO 65608. Arrangements are under the direction of the HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com