Leonard "Shep" Monroe Thomason

                    Leonard Monroe “Shep” Thomason, Sr., 72, of Captain St. Bluefield, WV passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at his residence.                 Shep was born on December 02, 1944 in Crumpler, West Virginia to the late Robert Lee Thomason and Willie Mae Simons Thomason. He had been a resident of Bluefield, WV for the past 29 years and was a retired coal miner after 34 years. He was a member of the UMWA.                   In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers Billy Joe Simons and Randy Lee Thomason.                 Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 53 years Jane Ellen Caves Thomason of the home; one son Leonard Monroe Thomason, Jr. of Thomasville, NC and one daughter Patricia “Patti” Christian of Bluefield, WV.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.                 Funeral service will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluefield, WV with Minister Billy Sadler officiating the service. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV where Michael Christian, Donnie Harman, John Stone, Johnathon Caves, Justin Caves, Maurice Settles and honorary pallbearer Brett Settles.                 The Thomason family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.                 Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com