Remembering John 'Stump' Thrower

John "Stump" Thrower

John "Stump" Thrower, a columnist for The Villager since the newspaper's inception in 2006, has passed away after a long illness. Thrower, 56, was found at home Monday morning.

Thrower, a sports enthusiast, wrote "Stump on Sports" for every issue and "Keys to the Game" during football season. In addition to writing for The Villager, Thrower was featured daily from 4 p.m. till 6 p.m. on "Sports Call" on radio station 93.9 FM with co-host Bill Cameron.

David Housel, former Auburn University athletic director and a friend of Thrower's, described John as "an Auburn zealot."

"I've known John since his college days, and no one ever loved Auburn more. It was not always a perfect love, but no one can question his love, dedication and commitment to his alma mater," said Housel.

"John has had a varied life and career. He really seemed to be enjoying his entry into the newspaper business. He will be missed, as will his insight, perspective and comment."

Thrower was sometimes irascible but always dedicated to getting his columns to The Villager. As late as a week ago Monday, he was still worrying about getting his handwritten column, filling pages of yellow lined legal paper, to the editor on time.

Auburn attorney Don Eddins, an owner of The Villager, recruited Thrower to write for the newspaper, in large part because of Thrower's vast knowledge of sports in general and recruiting in particular.

"I've never know anyone who knew quite so much about Auburn sports and sports in general," said Eddins. "What he lacked in writing experience, he made up for in sheer knowledge. And to simply say that he loved Auburn would be a gross understatement. He lived and breathed Auburn sports. He will be missed by the entire Villager family, including the staff, the readers, the advertisers."

Charles Whatley, also an owner of The Villager, said Thrower's work was appreciated by Villager readers.

"His column was a favorite with our readers. People were always telling me how much they enjoyed a particular story John had written. He was an important part of our success," said Whatley.

Long-time friend Dennis Miller, owner of Medical Arts Pharmacy in Opelika, recalled his first memory of "Stump," a nickname earned because of Thrower's stocky stature.

"I was playing Peewee League football against him out here at Pepperell, and then we ran track together at Opelika High School," Miller said. "We were in school together at Auburn."

Thrower was president of his high school class, and president of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, at Auburn. After attending AU, Thrower went to Cumberland Law School, then practiced in Montgomery and finally Auburn.

"From what I understand he was a very good lawyer," Miller said. "But he was principled to an obsession about sports."

After college, Thrower became a season-ticket holder and scholarship donor. He wrote and published a recruiting newsletter and became tight with the coaching staff.

"He was the extreme fan, living vicariously through the Saturday afternoon heroics of the Tigers," according to a 1997 article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Thrower came to press attention in the early 1990s, when according to the AJC checks written by an Alabama booster to football co-captain Gene Jelks came into his possession. He turned them over to the NCAA, and the University of Alabama ended up on probation.

"I would say he was a man of principle and a sportsman. He probably loved Auburn more than anybody else," Miller said.

Among survivors are Thrower's daughters Mary Louise and Elizabeth, their mother Lynn, his brother Fred and a cousin, Mary Ann Kelly.

Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. A graveside service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika.