Daryl Ray Thrasher Passes Away at 65

Former vice president of travel industry sales and martketing for Avis rental car, Daryl Ray Thrasher, 65, passed away Oct. 6 after a two-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. His family was by his side in Mt. Sinai, N.Y.

Thrasher was born Jan. 14, 1946, to Jean Teeling and Ray Thrasher in St. Louis, Mo. He attended Riverview Garden High School and after graduation he was drafted in the Army. He completed his military service and returned to St. Louis. There he met and married Cathy Ann Johnson. Daryl and Cathy had two sons, Daryl in 1969 and Todd in 1972.

In 1983, the family relocated to Long Island, N.Y. It was here that Daryl made his mark in the rental car industry and became the vice president of travel industry sales and marketing for Avis.

Thrasher was a life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He watched and attended many games from spring training through the end of the season every year. On the last night of his life, he listened to the play by play of his beloved team as they battled it out and won.

Thrasher is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cathy; his father, Ross Houston; his sons, Daryl (Pamela) Thrasher and Todd (Traci) Thrasher; his grandchildren, Daryl, Zophia and Kasey Thrasher; and his brothers and sisters, Kent (Marilyn) Houston, Roger (Melinda) Houston, Beth (Tom) Moore and Terrie (Bob) Braun. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Teeling-Houston; his father, Ray Thrasher and his brother, Kyle (Charlene) Thrasher.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Chapel in Crystal Brook Park in Mt. Sinai. The memorial service begins at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ALS Foundation at www.alsa.org/donate.