Obituary for George Oscar Lastinger, Jr.
George Oscar Lastinger, Jr., was born February 9,1926, to a pioneer farming family in Lithia, Florida, the second oldest of seven children of George and Eliu Lastinger. He worked in strawberry fields and popped cows out of the woods in East Hillsborough County, taking the occasional break to cool off in Lithia Springs; thus, his love of all things related to agriculture took root. Despite the demands placed on him to help his family, Oscar always valued education. Oscar attended Lithia School and then Pinecrest High School. Wanting to serve his country, he joined the United States Navy in 1945. He served for two years and received an honorable discharge in 1947. Upon discharge, Oscar pursued his education at the University of Florida. Although he attended school in Gainesville, Oscar would often travel the 140 miles back to Lithia to help his father farm, not only to help provide for his siblings, but to pay for his college education. In the summers, he and a few others attending the University of Florida on the G.I. Bill organized a program for other veterans to work on the farm and learn the skills necessary to pursue a career in agriculture. Oscar graduated from the University of Florida with his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in 1950, and later returned to complete his Master of Science in Agriculture. Oscar began his teaching career at Brandon School in 1950 as an agriculture teacher. It was there that he met his wife of 54 years, Mildred. During the 47 years of his life dedicated to education, he taught vocational agriculture and served as an FFA advisor at Brandon High School, Turkey Creek High School, and Plant City High School, which under his leadership grew to be the largest FFA chapter in the state. Under his guidance, eight students became state FFA officers, one a national officer, and numerous students achieved State Farmer and American Farmer status. The last 12 years of his career were spent at James Ranch in Plant City teaching physically and mentally challenged students. In retirement, he remained committed to agricultural education and the FFA, judging Public Speaking, Animal Production Record Keeping, and Parliamentary Procedure and was an active member of the Seasoned Owls, dedicating 80 years of his life to FFA. His influence upon the lives of thousands of students extended beyond the curriculum to life lessons instructing them to live their lives with honor and integrity, as he was a man of impeccable character. Oscar’s life epitomized the definition of servant leadership in his church and community. He was an ordained deacon at First Baptist Brandon for 58 years, church moderator for 28 years, church clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, and served on numerous committees throughout his lifetime. In his community, he was a Boy Scout, held the office of State FFA Secretary, was a charter member of the Brandon Lions Club, President of Plant City Kiwanis Club, an Associate Director of the Florida Strawberry Festival, Treasurer of the Florida Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Founding Advisor for the FFA Foundation of Hillsborough County, a member of Florida Farm Bureau, and the Chairman of the Horticulture Advisory Committee for Hillsborough Community College. In recognition of his service to his fellow man, he was the recipient of the GTE Community Enrichment Award, Agriculture Educator of the Year, inducted into the Florida FFA Hall of Fame, and commissioned an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. Oscar was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Mildred Baucom Lastinger, parents, sisters Joyce and Pearla Lastinger, and brother Robert Lastinger. He is survived by his wife Willa Lastinger; children Becky (Ron) Jordan; Martha (Brent) Futch, George (Cathy) Lastinger, and step-daughter Diane (Alan) Kouveras; grandchildren, Audra Elizabeth (John) Lander, Ashley (Dave) Mitchell, Matthew (Jane) Lastinger, Victoria Jean (Justin) Bussey, Dylan (Sara Katherine) Henderson, and Shawn Henderson; nine great-grandchildren, and sisters Frances Ryals, Myrtle Hurt, and Clara Kirby, and many nieces and nephews. In place of flowers, the family requests donations made to First Baptist Church Brandon Foundation; 516 N. Parsons Avenue; Brandon, FL 33510, in his memory.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
24
Oct
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
First Baptist Church of Brandon
216 North Parsons Avenue
Brandon, FL 33510
Celebration of Life Service
Saturday
24
Oct
11:00 AM
First Baptist Church of Brandon
216 North Parsons Avenue
Brandon, FL 33510
Memorial Contribution
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