Shari Stilwell Thrasher

1935 - 2014

Move over Mickey, here comes Shari. Ventura Counties biggest baseball fan passed away Oct. 13, 2014.

Shari Stilwell Thrasher was born on Dec. 2nd, 1935 in Denver Co. to Carl Smith and Maurine Coleman. Their marriage was a short one and Maurine married Mortimer F. Stilwell on the day after Christmas in 1939. Shari always considered Mort her father. She spent her early years in Denver until the Dept. of Navy hired Mort in 1941 to come out to Port Hueneme and help build the Naval Base. This was a special time for Shari and she had many stories to tell.

On one trip back to Denver over the holidays they blew out a tire in the middle of New Mexico. Supplies were low because of the war so Mort had to trade 3 lbs. of bacon and some cash for a retread. Housing was also short during this time in Ventura. In the 3rd grade they moved from the "Higgins Ranch" a 20 room Victorian mansion in Carpenteria to 60 N. Lincoln in Ventura and finally ending up that year at the "Sea Watches" in Malibu. Shari attended the 4th grade there in a one room school house in Decker Canyon where Pepperdine stands now. There were 3 of them in the 4th grade, Shari and two boys. It was there that she learned that Santa Claus was not real. Those two boys saw to that. The war was over in 1945 so Mort resumed developing tracts. They lived at his home at 3516 Loma Vista. Shari went on to Ventura high school where she was a song leader.

Mort and Maurine never missed a game. She married William Boyd Thrasher on April 4th, 1958. Bill was a great father and friend. He is still missed today, especially from his granddaughter Alexis who he had a special bond with. They had 3 children together, William Bret Thrasher, Curt Alan Thrasher and Nicole Thrasher. In 1958 Bill moved the family to "B" street in Oxnard and finally to Camarillo in 1961 to 1874 Sorrel St. Shari watched and cheered on all the young players at P.V. Baseball and Roadrunner football, following them through high school and College. After an interesting 20 years Bill and Shari retired in Marana Az.

They spent their time going to Arizona State football games with friends, volunteering at Spring Training and of course golfing. As you know, Shari would talk to anyone. I think she met all of the retired and active baseball players during spring training. No one could match the feeling they had for their grandchildren, Cole and Alexis Thrasher. They would always put a smile on their faces. We would like to thank all of Shari's and Bill's friends over the years. I know that they valued your friendship. In lieu of flowers please go support a little league team.