TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- John Thrasher, a former Florida State University president and longtime state legislator, died on Friday. He was 81.

Former Florida State President John Thrasher has passed away following cancer diagnosis in April. A public celebration of his life will be held later this summer.

After his honorable discharge in 1970, he enrolled in FSU’s law school, graduating in 1972. Among his duties was serving as General Counsel for the Florida Medical Association. Thrasher served on the Clay County School Board from 1986 to 1990, including as Chair for the last two years.