Ken Thrash

Ken Thrash, 80, of Gainesville passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday the 21st of November, 2015 after an unexpected accident. Ken is survived by his loving wife, Betty his cherished children and their spouses: Mary Frances and Steve Heldt, Anna Maria Thrash, Kenneth Matheson III (Matt) and Kelly Thrash, his grandson Dale Heldt and many friends who loved him very much

Ken was born in Atlanta, GA on December 15th, 1935. He was a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Ken played football in the Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and the Gator Bowl. He was true competitor and played on both offense and defense. He participated in The Letterwinners Club and became a member of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers from 1956-1963.

Nearly four years was spent in active duty with the U.S. Air Force. His military career took him to Laon Airbase in Northern France where he served as a Base Engineering and Maintenance Officer and helped coach the base football team until 1960.

Ken’s illustrious career spanned the globe, starting with helping construct I-75 and I-85 around Atlanta. Then it was on to Cario, Georgia that is, to be the plant engineer for W.B Roddenberry Co. In 1963, Geo. J. Meyer Mfg. Company introduced him to business travel with covering the Caribbean. In 1970, Ken joined Coca-Cola, USA in Atlanta, where he had a fulfilling 26 year career with the Coca-Cola companies. He was the Manager of Engineering based in Sydney, Australia for 3 years giving his family the opportunity of a life time of living in Australia and to travel the world. He headed special projects throughout Europe, Africa, India, Russia, East Germany, Greece, Turkey and his last major project in Dunkirk France.

Anyone who ever met Ken would not be a stranger for long and all would say how he loved to share stories about his adventures. There were many! He was loved and respected by all and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00, Monday November 23, 2015 at
the chapel of Lanier Village Estates. Rev Richard Evans will officiate. A private
family graveside will be held on Tuesday.

The family suggests donations can be made in memory of Kenneth M. Thrash Jr to:

National Parkinson Foundation

200 SE 1st Street

Suite 800

Miami, FL 33131

Memorial Park North 
Riverside Chapel
989 Riverside Drive
Gainesville, Ga. 30501
770-297-6200
Online condolences may be made @ memorialparkfuneralhomes.com