Dr. Rev. Ronald Arthur Hazlett, 75, went to be with his Lord and savior on June 20, 2016. As a man of God, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, Pastor, and friend, he touched many lives. He is survived by his wife of over 49 years, Deborah Hazlett, three children and eight grandchildren; R. Bryan Hazlett , wife Kimberly and children Zac, Nate, Elizabeth, and Abagail of Linden TN; Philip Hazlett, wife Kim and daughters Sierra and Madeline of Clearwater, FL; Avril Osburn, husband Ryan Osburn and children William and Amelia of St. Petersburg, FL. Siblings, Carolynn Hazlett Carr (husband Dr. Charles Carr) of Largo, FL; Dixie Hazlett Crook (husband Jim Crook) of Logan, UT; Samuel H. Hazlett of Largo, FL.
Born in Washington, PA on February 2, 1941, his family relocated to Largo, FL in 1956. After graduating from Largo High School in 1959 and St. Petersburg Junior College, he served his country in the US Air Force. While in the Air Force, he surrendered his life to Christ at 21 and felt the call into ministry. Upon leaving the military, he attended William Carey College where he earned a BA in Biblical Studies and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Masters in Theology and Doctorate in Ministry. Serving his Lord in ministry throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida and through several mission trips around the world, the majority of his ministry, he served as the senior Pastor at First Baptist of Jensen Beach, FL; Calvary Baptist Church in Brunswick, GA; First Baptist Church of Largo, FL until retiring from Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, FL.
An avid reader and studier of The Word of God, he enjoyed fellowshipping with others at church, while fishing, traveling, or just being able to visit with them. He loved to be in his garden on a daily basis; sharing what he had grown with those around him. He was not only a Pastor, but a teacher. He loved to share any knowledge he could that would help those around him, but ultimately sharing the Word of the Lord. As he left, he would say “I’ll see you here or there or in the air”, and he is waiting for us all in his home in Glory.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18