Edward Arthur Thomas

THOMAS, WHYLE, SCOTT, REYNOLDS, FLAHERTY, MORRISON

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 7/16/2010 at 14:54:11

Edward Arthur Thomas, age 58, of Parkersburg, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

He was born the son of Roy E. and Arthurine (Whyle) Thomas on July 17, 1950, in Mahaska County, Oskaloosa, Iowa. Ed received his education at the Tri-County High School in Thornburg, Iowa, and graduated in 1968. He continued his education and received his Bachelors of Arts Degree at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa and his Masters Degree at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

On May 29, 1976, Edward was united in marriage with Janet Sue Scott at the United Methodist Church in Williams, Iowa. Ed began teaching and coaching at the Northeast Hamilton School in Blairsburg, Iowa. He came to Parkersburg in 1975 where he has been teaching and coaching for the past 34 years. Ed taught high school Social Studies, Driver’s Education, coached football and track and was currently the Activities Director.

Ed was an active faithful member of the First Congregational Church in Parkersburg, where he currently was an Elder and had served many years as a Deacon, taught adult Sunday school and occasionally led the Sunday worship service when Pastor was away.

He was on the board of the Iowa High School Football Coaches Association. Through the years Coach Thomas has led his football team to 19 appearances at the state playoffs; they achieved the state football title in 1993 and 2001 and were state runners up in 1980, 1990, 1996 and 2000. Ed was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame, the NFL High School Coach of the year in 2005, he received the Walt Fiegel Coaching for Character Award and was also featured at the Iowa Hall of Pride.

Ed took great pride in teaching life lessons, integrity, hard work and values not only to his players but to all of his students, which span multiple generations in his teaching and coaching through the past 37 years. Mr. Thomas really enjoyed taking care of all aspects of the school whether it be a student, co-worker, athletic program or spending hours on the football field. He enjoyed playing with his three grandchildren and in the summertime he enjoyed a good round of golf. Ed loved his family and enjoyed attending all of their activities with Jan. One of his memorable moments was having the opportunity of coaching his two sons. He was a great example of what he taught, God is first, then family and everything else is next.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Thomas on August 27, 1996.

Ed is survived by his wife, Jan Thomas of Parkersburg, Iowa; two sons, Aaron (Ellie) Thomas of La Porte City, Iowa, and Todd (Candice) Thomas of Cedar Falls, Iowa; three grandchildren, Owen, Gavin and Trevan; his mother, Arthurine Thomas of What Cheer, Iowa; one brother, Greg (Michelle) Thomas of Humboldt, Iowa; three sisters, Susan (Del) Reynolds of Hamilton, Montana, Connie (Dave) Flaherty of Murray, Iowa, and Teresa (Bill) Morrison of Deep River, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2009, at the First Congregational Church with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, both in Parkersburg.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational Church in Parkersburg and continue for one hour prior to services at the church.

There will be no public visitation held at the church Monday morning.

Memorials may be directed to the Family of Ed.