Gerald Raymond Thomas

I just learned of the passing of Coach Thomas. He was more than Coach Thomas to me. He was my friend when we were in the hospital together. He was the man that pulled me aside after a ball game to not only "coach" me, but how to handle adversity in sports. I still use those words he shared with me then, in corporate America today. He was what every kid, youth and adult should have in a Coach, Mentor and most importantly, a friend. The only way to describe Coach Thomas is to simply call him "the best"! He did the things he did because he cared and he wanted to! He is a legend in my eyes!

I am deeply saddened to learn of Coach Thomas' death. I just read of his passing in the Lynchburg College Magazine. Coach Thomas was a wonderful friend, father, coach. My son, Josh Moser, and I are mourning his loss and sending our love and respect to the family.

The Thomas Family,
We would like to express our sincere sympathy over the loss of Gerald. We were out of town at the time of his passing and regret we were not able to attend the service.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Kendall and Patricia Brockman

Peggy & Family,

May you find peace & comfort in all your loving memories. I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Love, Becky

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

I am so sorry to hear about Coach Thomas. I enjoyed LC and had many happy times during my time there and several of those times related to baseball and Coach Thomas.
My heart and prayers go out to all the family and friends during this very sad time.
Sincerely, Jeff Balsley

Thomas family, I played for Coach Thomas from 1979-1981 and am truly saddened yet I sit hear typing this with a smile on my face. He taught me so much about baseball and life and there is hardly a day that has gone by since I graduated that I havent thought about him and my days Lynchburg. Thanks for the memories......a damn yankee from NJ

Jan and family,
Our condolences on the passing of your father. I know how hard that is!Your family will be in our prayers. It was so good to see you.

Dear Peggy, Randy, Jan, and Jay, spouses and families:

We attended the lovely service today. The very packed chapel with all the family, friends and ball players and all the gorgeous flowers gave wonderful testimony to how much-loved Gerry was. We were so sorry to have missed seeing everyone at the visitation- We had just returned from New Olreans- and had to attend a dinner at the College for the Lynchburg community. We looked at all the family pictures with great interest. What wonderful memories you all have...and will have forever. I think every photo we saw of Gerry in the collection showed him with a big broad smile - or contemplating a smile or a witty comment. I will always think of him laughing through his words when he'd talk to you. It was such a delightful sound. His joy and laughter was indeed infectious. He never met a stranger and he embraced everyone with that big, bold warmth that just wrapped you up like a warm fuzzy blanket.

We know all about his love and talent for baseball and all the players he played with or trained and coached over the years. Certainly, he thought of them all as part of his family, too. We've heard so many wonderful stories about his games (Julius has seen many- I have seen a few, but have heard a LOT!.)...so MANY wins over the years. He was competitive and expected a lot from his players- and because they respected him, and they wanted to do their best, he received a lot from them- and they received SO much from him!

Gerry was a unique man- no one else like him, and he will be sorely missed. Thank the Good Lord for having him in our lives and for the wonderful memories.

May the support of friends and family help you all at this difficult time and may your best memories of Gerry, Dad and Granddad and great-grandad sustain you always.

With love and many fond memories of our own,

Jan and Julius Sigler (Lynchburg College)

To the Thomas Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Thomas. Years ago I would see him when I attended the Lynchburg College baseball games. He was always so kind and nice to talk to. I will miss not seeing him at Lynchburg College sporting events. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Patricia Mulholland (Lynchburg, VA )

Coach Thomas was a great man who was fun to be around. Tracie and I will miss him.
Bill Dickson

My best to Coach T's family. I played for him from 1984-1987 and found he had a great baseball mind, a sly sense of humor and a soft spot for young children. What he taught me and my teammates -- "Attitude and Effort" -- extends well beyond the baseball field. Peace to his family.

Jim Stratton
Orlando
LC '87

Dear Randy and Family,

I was shocked and saddened to hear about Coach Thomas' passing. I will cherish the last time we were together at the Hall of Fame get together last October. I have many happy memories of my years at LC, and Coach was a part of many of those. See Ps. 116:15
Dan Palmer, '78

Coach Thomas was one of the most inspiring men I've ever come into contact with. The short time playing under Coach Thomas was my most memorable and influential periods in baseball. The way Coach went about teaching us on the field, went far outside of the lines in molding all of us as the hard working, responsible, honest adults we are today. Thank you Coach.

Coach was a mentor and a friend. I will always remember and cherish his ability to lead while standing beside you as you went into battle. I had a great career all because of Coach Thomas. I will miss him and his infectious laugh.

Keith Scruggs and Chery

Dr. Thomas, Remember what you told me to reach out and take his hand. I wanted you to know I am thinking of you and your family. Mary Sue

Randy and family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of your dad's death. He was a great man who loved the game of baseball as well as the kids that played it. It was a privilege for me to have had the pleasure of working his baseball camps and being influenced by his knowledge of the game and life in general. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. With my utmost sympathy, Scooter Dunn

Peggy, Randy and Jay, I am so sorry to hear about Gerald. He was such a character. He would always tease me whenever we would run in to each other. He will truly be missed. But I know he is with our Father in heaven. Sending all of my love and prayers to you and your family.

Coach Thomas will be remembered as a winner and one of the most ethical, honest men I've met. He always played by the rules. Never settled his values or took short cuts. I liked him but more importantly I learned that to be true to your values and be respected was even more important. He was an amazing person. My condolences to his family and friends.

Sorry to hear about Coach's passing. I went out of my way to take his classes at LC and always had a great time in them. My grandfather, Jimmy Fox, always spoke very highly of Gerry. We will miss him.

I'm truly sorry to hear about coach. He was not only a great coach, but a great man. I was fortunate enough to have seen him a few week ago and spent some time remembering some very special times. He was not only special to me, but my whole family. He and my mother worked together for years and I know much she admired and respected him for all he brought to the school and the students.

Donny Brown
Amherst

Coach Thomas came to Florida in 1979 and invited me over to meet the team since i was planning on playing baseball at LC. Made me feel right at home and part of the team. this of course helped me make the decision to attend LC that year. He was a terrific coach and knew how to get the most out of his players. Rest in Peace Coach. Mark Saharski 83'

As one of Coach Thomas' players at Amherst and at LC, there really are not enough words to describe my personal deep sense of loss. He was a caring Christian, a very dear friend, and a great example to all of us who had the privilege to call him "Coach". In the many hats that he wore, he genuinely cared about people and had a true gift for helping others cope with the peaks and valleys of not just baseball but everything that life throws at us. I thank God that He made Coach Thomas a part of my life. To Peggy and the rest of the family I offer my deepest sympathy for your loss.

TO THE THOMAS FAMILY:
I CAN REMEMBER SEEING GERALD PLAYING RIGHT FIELD FOR THE RICHMOND FARM TEAM OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES. HE WAS A FINE PLAYER. LATER IN LIFE WHEN HE AND I BECAME GOOD FRIEND, I LEARNED WHAT A GREAT PERSON HE WAS.
HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY FOLKS FAR AND WIDE AND HIS MEMORY WILL BE CARRIED DOWN THRU THE YEARS.
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE THOMAS FAMILY.
REST IN PEACE MY GOOD FRIEND.

So Sorry for the loss of Sonny. He was a wonderful man. He will be greatly
missed by all.
Margie Carpenter and David Niday

I have many fond memories of Coach Thomas and stories that I still share today from my time playing baseball at LC. My condolences to the Thomas/Campbell family. Coach Thomas will be missed.

To the Thomas family..I'm so sorry to hear about Gerald. Many wonderful memories and shared times with him as teacher, coach, and friend.My thoughts and prayers to you all.

Dennis Brown

Thomas Family... I enjoyed knowing Coach and talking with him about baseball, his family, and life in general. I noted his wisdom serving jury duty with him and writing about his past for the sports page. Jenny and I will miss him greatly.
Sincerely, Mike Gallagher (Gidsville)

Thomas Family- all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Thomas-Gerald was just wonderful- good thoughts and memories from my time at Amherst High School- With Sympathy-Dana Harvey Lang

Dear Jan and Thomas Family,
I know your hearts are breaking. Mr. Thomas was a truly great man, a great coach, but most of all, a wonderful, loving husband and father. I have so many happy memories of times spent in your home as I grew from a very small child to an adult and even getting together as adults. We were such close friends and grew up together. Your Dad was always so kind and funny, always teasing you and me and calling you "daughter." I am so sorry to read of his passing. My Dad died 20 years ago, and I still miss him more every day. May God comfort you as you mourn your loss. I am praying for you and your family. With deepest sympathies...Sandee Bryant Mattox

he was such a neat guy, and a great teacher. he will surely be missed!

jan harrison
amherst

I remember going with my Uncle Raymond Mays to see Gerald play baseball in Bunea Vista. Mentioned this to Gerald one time that he hit a double and he said and a home run too Lewis. Thats right Gerald I forgot. Always thought a lot of Gerald. Lewis Johnson,

Coach Thomas left a lasting impression both with his legacy with the Lynchburg College baseball program as well as the players he coached over the years. I'm proud to say I had the honor of playing for Coach Thomas. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. My thoughts go out to the Thomas family.

Much love ,sympathy,and praise to a wonderful family.May God's love be especially near at this time.
Blessings,
Betty Mantiply

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

To Peggy and family, Wish I could be with you at this time of loss. Coach was my mentor and leader. He guided me as a young man for 5 years and taught me many things I use today. I can still hear him say " You got this game screwed up, you swing at the strikes and take the balls" and " Give us a shot". He influenced so many players during his tenure of coaching. I wore his number 22 when I coached high school ball. He got me more than one job.
Clete Boyer told me he loved to visit the Coach and go to a special resturant. Coach had a beautiful swing left-handed, I saw him at a old timers game at Parker Field in Richmond. He was my counselor and always got me the right class and teacher so I could graduate.
Thanks Coach for letting me play and succeed. Our team prayers before each game were important to me. The worst word I ever heard out of his mouth was "Judas Priest". So many memories. We will miss the Coach.
God bless Peggy and all the children, grandchildren and grandchildren. He was blessing
John (Fungo) Phillips

I was saddened to learn of Gerald's passing. My deepest sympathy to Peggy, Gerald's Children and all family members. Jean Woody

To a man and his wonderful family I met 30 years ago. Our families were apart of each others. He had the most kindest eyes and voice of any man I ever met. He had wonderful sense of humour, unwavering love for his family, commitment and love for his community, and a amazing gift to encourage his team, teach, train, give respect, ... get respect from all the athletes he coached. I am so fortunate to have met such a gifted man and his warm family. He will surely be missed and remembered for all he gave and was. Sincerely, Sarah Spratt Minter

So sorry for the loss of a wonderful man. My children will always remember the special Halloweens at the Thomas house. Embrace the memories.

Mr. Thomas what a good influence you were to so many children. Randy I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless All of You.
Warren and Pattye Tomlin

I recall going to Gerry's bowling class my first day at LC and he told us we had to have a 230 or better average to pass the class. Everyone was in a panic until we found out he was joking with a very straight face. Always enjoyed seeing him through the years and he seemed interested in what his former students were doing. He was a competitor on the field but had a wicked sense of humor off the field. I will miss him.