Rev. L. B. Thomason, age 79 of Sugarmill Woods died Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the Hospice House of Citrus County in Lecanto, Florida.  Born December 2, 1931 in Summerville, GA Pastor Thomason was ordained to the ministry in January 1956.  He first served concurrently as pastor of two small churches, Unity and New Hope South in Summerville, GA.  He next served First Baptist Church in Gretna, Florida, from 1958 until 1969, and while in Gretna served as Chaplain of the Florida Legislature during both the 1959 and 1960 sessions.  He was called to the First Baptist Church of Crystal River in 1969 and served there until he retired in 1995.  The present sanctuary and much of the education facility was built under his leadership, and in 1980 he was named minister of the year by Stetson University.  Since retiring he has served as Chaplain for Hospice of Citrus County.  Pastor Thomason has touched innumerable lives in this community in the past forty-two years.  He will be greatly missed.
  
   He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ethelyene, daughters, Marcia Wade (Mark) of Memphis, TN, Lisa Rose Glass (J. D.) of Apopka, FL and Mary Bryan Thomason-Smith (Timothy) of Bloomington, IN, grandchildren, Everett Wade (Jessie), Isaac and Bethany Wade, Buddy Glass, Noah and Melody Smith, and great-grandson, Martin Wade. 

   Funeral service will be conducted Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Crystal River with Rev. Bill Shaw officiating.  Visitation will be at the Church on Thursday
evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Graveside service and burial will be held Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 2:00 pm  in Summerville Cemetery, Summerville, GA.

   For those who wish memorial contributions may be offered to Hospice of Citrus County or the First Baptist Church of Brooksville.  Arrangements under the direction of Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River, FL.  Local arrangements by the Erwin-Petitt Funeral Home.