Pastor Ronald "Ron" W. Thomas

Ron was born on August 10, 1954 in Delaware Ohio. He was, more importantly, born again as a Christian March 17th, 1974 at Friendly Freewill Baptist Church in Columbus Ohio. He went home to the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Some may say he died but he would assure you that he is more alive today than he has ever been! Married to the love of his life, Lynn, on August 19, 1978, and they were blessed with two fantastic Christian sons: Dan & his wife, Elizabeth and Joe & his wife Chrissie. They in turn blessed him with six wonderful grandchildren Abby, Ada, Amelia, Luke, Maddie, and Audrey. He is also survived by his two older sisters Pat and Sally. Ron spent his younger life mowing lawns and doing farm work and then moved on to becoming an on-the-road commercial printing paper salesman. He moved his family to Florida in June of 1982 to escape the cold after an extremely bitter winter produced multiple infections of pneumonia in his oldest son. He experienced the most humbling and surprising turn of events when the Lord called him & his loving bride into full-time Christian service. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological School in Ft. Worth, Texas where he earned his degree in theology. Upon graduation in 1987, he returned to Florida where he served his Lord as pastor of four Southern Baptist churches, the most recent being, Cornerstone Community Baptist in Bushnell, Florida. Ron wants to encourage you and let you know: “the greatest desire I have for those of you reading this obituary is that you would surrender your heart and life to the Lord, Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior. Jesus is not one of many ways to heaven, He is the only way. Jesus, Himself, tells us in John 14:6.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” Ron would also add: “Jesus has a lot of fans, but unfortunately few true followers. Our Lord is looking for sincere active followers and that means taking the narrow road! The wide road is easy - but it leads to hell.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14,” “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” A SERVICE OF MEMORIES will be held on Saturday March 4th 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church. The service will be led by Ron’s Pastor Mike King. And yes, a fellowship will follow (remember, this is a Baptist event) with the best homemade food that can be found in Sumter County. PLEASE, PLEASE, . . DRESS CASUALLY! In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ron’s grandson and namesake, Luke Warren Thomas for his medical and therapy expenses. Please see his “gofundme” account for more information: https://www.gofundme.com/papaforluke Cornerstone Community Baptist Church 777 CR 48 Bushnell, FL 33513 https://www.facebook.com/Cornerstone-Community-Baptist-Church-125087647631963/

Pastor Ronald "Ron" W. Thomas

August 10, 1954 - February 28, 2017