Edgar “Ed” Thomasson (89) passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno after a brief illness. Ed’s parents Joseph S. Thomasson and Lillie Belle Rowe married in 1915 in Hastings, Oklahoma and moved to California in 1916 where they farmed and owned a dairy. Ed was born on October 11, 1930, and grew up on the family farm along with his older brother Joe. Ed attended local schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1949. He was athletic and participated in track events.
Ed and Barbara (Simmons) met in Madera and were married on Feb 5, 1966. They loved U.S. and Civil War history and traveled frequently especially in the Southern and Eastern United States. His question was always “where are we going next?”. Special friends, Janet and Ken Seibert frequently traveled companions. We cherished sharing time together with them “on the road” and at home with their children Kyle, Mandy, and Shane.
During his life, Ed farmed, owned a dairy with his dad, worked at Madera Tribune as the circulation manager, trained and worked as an electrician in Washington State and owned a tavern in Madera. Along with Barbara they owned/operated Thomasson Pest Control for 30 years before Ed retired in 2000.
When he reached his 50th birthday Ed started running 10+ miles a day, participated in many races and very often won 1st place in his age group. When knee surgery sidelined the daily running he switched to biking, frequently riding the 50 mile round trip to Raymond, CA.
Ed was a 41+ year member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was always willing to sponsor a fellow AA member or be a listening ear when someone needed to talk. We estimate that he attended more than 20,000 AA meetings. He had many special friends at the AA Fellowship.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Lillie and Joe Thomasson and his brother Joe Thomasson.
Ed is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Barbara, his daughter Diane Hogue of Madera, grandson Jason, his wife Lisa and son JD of Madera, granddaughter Erinn Serna, her children Faith and Vanessa and one great, great-granddaughter Amilly of Fresno. Ed was very close to his nephew Jimmy Thomasson and his wife Melody of Meadow Vista, CA. Also surviving Ed is his niece Joanne Brazil and her husband Joe of Madera along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Ed loved his Lord Jesus Christ and was Born Again to a Living Hope
A Celebrate of Life gathering will be held 9 am Friday, Dec 6th at Fourth Street Church of God, 222 North N Street, Madera. Interment is private.
Donation may be made in Ed’s memory to: Doors of Hope Parenting and Pregnancy Center, 500 East Almond Ave Suite 5A, Madera 93637 or Help is on the Way Ministry, 6 Breeze, Madera, CA 93637
1 Peter Chapter 1 vs. 3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
