Howard Anderson Thrasher Sr.

Howard Anderson Thrasher Sr., affectionately known as "Hoppy", was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 16, 1954, to William and Williemae Thrasher. He was the fourth born of seven children. Hoppy joined Greater Center Star Baptist Church, where he accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age. In high school, Hoppy was a multisport athlete and was a skilled baseball player who played several positions for the local baseball teams. He graduated from the historic Little Rock Central High School in 1972 and was accepted to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a full baseball scholarship, where he graduated in 1977 with his Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1979, he pledged into the Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc., and remained a faithful lifetime member. Hoppy worked for the Arkansas Department of Corrections as an institutional Parole Officer. In 1980, he relocated to Texas and worked for the South Dallas Boys Club as Recreational Director. During his tenure with the Boys Club, his boxing team won two Golden Glove Tournaments. He was employed as Caseworker for the Texas Department of Corrections in Huntsville, Texas. Later that year, he transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Board of Pardons and Paroles Central Office in Austin, Texas as a Parole Officer and then Parole Analyst in 1982. He promoted throughout his career and remained at the Board of Pardons and Paroles for 30 years, until his retirement as a Commissioner. He also was a founding member of the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Black in Criminal Justice, where he served as treasurer. He was introduced to his wife, Adrienne, a meeting that was facilitated by their mothers, in 1983. He proposed to her in 1986, and they were married in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Their first child, Kyndall Elizabeth, was born in 1987. In 1990, their son, Howard Jr was born. He joined the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, Texas. In 1986, where he remained a faithful member until 2003, when he joined St. Mary Baptist Church in Pflugerville, Texas. At St. Mary, he was a member of the Hospitality Committee and a church Trustee. He remained faithful in his ministry at St. Mary until his passing. Hoppy was an avid sportsman and enjoyed a multitude of sporting events. He coached his kids' sports teams. He played golf and participated in many tournaments, many with his Kappa fraternity brothers. He played in a co-ed softball league, was a referee for a myriad of sports, and bragged enthusiastically about his skills at the game of dominoes. In Tuesday, July 11th, Hoppy peacefully passed into eternal rest. He is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents; parents, William and Williemae Thrasher; and eldest sister, Pearl Martin. He is survived by his wife, Adrienne (Sykes) Thrasher, daughter Kyndall, and son, Howard. He is also survived by his brothers, William (Trenel); Michael (Eunice); sister, Cheryl Rideout (Herbert); brothers, Eric (Sharon); Greg (Monica); mother-in-law, Delois Sykes; a host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces, other relatives, fraternity brothers, and dear friends.