Rev. Lorenzo Thomas, born in Manatee County, peacefully passed away on May 18, 2022 in Ellenton, Florida while surrounded by his wife and two daughters. Rev. Lorenzo Thomas will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 33 years, Iris; four children; Derrick, Daryl, Nixa (Antoine) and Lindsey; his grandchildren; sister, Mae Ethel (Azell); and brother, Braille (Remona).

Rev. Lorenzo Thomas, a graduate of Lincoln Memorial High School, received his BA degree from the University of South Florida in Social and Human Behavior in 1970, a Masters degree in Religious Education from Beacon College and Seminary and studied at the Ecumenical Institute in Chicago. Rev. Lorenzo Thomas worked tirelessly in our community. He was a Police Officer with the Bradenton Police Department, worked for Manatee County Head Start and the Mayor's Drug Free Communities. He had also been a counselor, Program Coordinator and Youth Director. He retired as a Sr. Chaplain of the Hillsborough Correctional Institute. Always giving to the community, he served on the United Way Budget Committee, the Executive Committee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, former President of the Manatee County Branch of the NAACP, and member of the Manatee County Ministerial Association. He organized the first Interfaith/Interracial worship service and the Biracial Advisory Council of the Manatee County School Board. Concerned about families and children, Rev. Lorenzo Thomas negotiated the Palmetto Head start building's lease with Manatee County School Board for $1 a year for 99 years, and he secured state funding to renovate Palmetto Youth Center. He wrote the Drug Free Program for Rubonia and Palmetto Centers, the Last Chance Program for first time youth offenders, and the Family Life Intervention Project, a family counseling program. In addition to these accomplishments, Rev. Lorenzo Thomas was also a member of the National Chaplain Association and St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Palmetto, FL. Rev. Lorenzo Thomas will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community.

A public Celebration of Life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, May, 28, 2022 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Palmetto, FL. Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home (941) 355-2535.