Edward Arthur Thomas
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Edward Arthur Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 17, 1950 Oskaloosa, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | June 24, 2009 (aged 58) Parkersburg, Iowa, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Occupation | High school football coach |
Edward Arthur Thomas[1] (July 17, 1950 – June 24, 2009) was an American high school football coach. On June 24, 2009, Thomas was shot and killed in his Parkersburg, Iowa football team's weight room by Mark Becker, one of Thomas's former players.[2] Thomas was airlifted to a Waterloo, Iowa hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.[3]
Ed Thomas was born to Authrine and Roy Thomas on July 17, 1950.[4] He was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa and raised in What Cheer, Iowa.[5] He played football; his position was quarterback. Thomas was the oldest of 5, having 3 younger sisters and one younger brother. He graduated from Tri-County High School in Thornburg, Iowa in 1968 and obtained degrees from William Penn College and the University of Northern Iowa.[4]
Career
Thomas coached for 37 years in the "IHSAA" (Iowa High School Athletic Association) football program; winning two state titles and a total of 292 games.[6] He is credited with having coached four NFL players, which include Aaron Kampman, Brad Meester, Jared DeVries, and Casey Wiegmann. In 2005, Thomas won the prestigious NFL High School Coach of the Year award.[7]
Death
Thomas was murdered on June 24, 2009, by Mark Becker, a mentally ill former player who had been released from a Waterloo Hospital less the day prior to the shooting.[8] Thomas was in a room with 20 football and volleyball players, many of whom testified at Becker's trial. He was shot six or seven times; Thomas also suffered blunt force injuries to his head, chest and legs, which were likely from Becker stomping or kicking Thomas, according to the medical examiner.[9]
