Obituary of Thomas Thrasher

Thomas Thrasher was born on April 13, 1948 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Nebuchadnezzar "Chico" and Margaret Thrasher. He passed peacefully from this life on the afternoon of April 15, 2021 surrounded and supported by his family, at home. Tom, as he was affectionately called, met his soulmate and united in holy matrimony with Alice Elaine Woods in June 1973. From this union of 34 years, they were blessed with one precious daughter, and together they raised two sons. Their home was always a second home for their grandchildren and many other family and friends. After Alice Elaine preceded him in death in 2007, Tom was able to find love again in 2009 and married Kathy Alston in December of 2018. Tom grew up in a loving Christian home in the Fairfield area of Baltimore. Educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools system, he graduated from Mergenthaler High School in 1966. After high school he was drafted into the United States Army where he fought in the Vietnam War. Following the war, he attended Baltimore City Community College and later the Baltimore City Fire Academy. He joined the Baltimore City Fire Department after graduation in 1974 and worked on Engine 43 faithfully for thirty years. Tom received numerous awards for his service in the line of duty. Along with his first wife Alice and children, he was a member of Adams Chapel AME Church for many years. Upon his second marriage, Tom and Kathy became dedicated members of Mt. Calvary AME Church, where Tom supported "the feeding the hungry" ministry at the church. In addition to the Fire Department, Tom worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for the security department for over twenty-nine years where he received number awards for his work ethic and attendance. He was a member of the Vulcan Blazers and a member of the Masons, King Solomon Grand Lodge. During his spare time, he enjoyed listening to music and was an avid record collector. To know him is to know of his love of tropical fish (especially African Cichlids), his love of reading (member of the Good Samaritan-Nightingale Book Club), his love of gardening (specifically cactus and roses), his love of history (specifically the Buffalo Soldiers) and spending time with family and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Chico and Margaret Thrasher, his first wife, of thirty-four years Alice Elaine Woods Thrasher, daughter-in-law Zina Wiley, sisters-in-laws: Shirley Woods, Mary Blake, brothers-in-laws: Sam Edward Woods, James Woods and Gordon Woods. Tom leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Kathy Alston (Baltimore, MD), daughter Tracee Thrasher Simms (Bristow, VA), sons Donald Wiley (Baltimore, MD), Garry Harris (Baltimore, MD), Stephen Washington (Baltimore, MD) and a son-in-law Woodrow Simms (Bristow, VA). Five grandchildren Tiffani Simms, Lucretia Robinson, Terrence Wiley, Lynice Harris, Blake Washington and five great grandchildren. His siblings Danjanira "Danny" Thrasher (Valerie), Gwendolyn "Gwenie" McDuffie, Dianne Thrasher, Alice Wilson, Alfreda Ann Thrasher, Basilio "Jake" Thrasher. Brothers-in-laws and Sisters-in-laws Fred Woods, David Woods, Mary Woods, Tina Blackwell, Geneva Akins-Grant. Also, he leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.