Remembering Coach Thomas

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Flowers lay in the grass near the Aplington-Parkersburg high school football field, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, in Parkersburg, Iowa. A gunman shot and killed Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas in the school's weight room early Wednesday morning. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Remembering Coach Thomas

By: kcrg.comSubscribe Channel: In Memoriam Location: Parkersburg, Iowa Wednesday, Jun 24 , 09 at 2:14 PM

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coach thomas aplington-parkersburg
13 Comments

Coach Thomas died after being shot multiple times on Wednesday morning at the school's weight room.

In his 37 years, Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas has touched many lives. Share your photos, videos and stories about Coach Thomas. Just click on "Submit a Story", and select the channel "Remembering Coach Thomas".

Thomas has coached football for 37 years and has a career record of 292-84. He has led the Falcons to 19 state playoff appearances and two state titles, in 1993 and 2001. Four of his former players have played in the NFL.

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SR says ... on Monday, Jun 29 at 12:27 PM

Those of us in the Mid-Prairie school district hold those in the Applington Parkersburg school district in our thoughts and prayers. Its hard to make sense of such a sensless act. Our hearts go out to your community, once again.

christen nolte says ... on Thursday, Jun 25 at 3:56 PM

this loss needs to stand out as a reminder that our mental health system in Iowa still needs a great deal of work- the national alliance for the mentally ill has upgraded iowa from an F in 2006 but it is still a mental health system full of flaws-

Anonymous says ... on Thursday, Jun 25 at 3:29 PM

Why would someone want to kill someone who has done so much for the Parkersburg community? This is a sad and chilling story. He was a great man who touched each and everyone of our hearts.

KC says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:43 PM

My thoughts and prayers to the family of Coach Thomas, and to everyone in Parkersburg, as it appears that he has touched each and every one of you. Peace be with you in this time of sadness.

AW says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:23 PM

This is so sad. My prayers go out to the family of coach Thomas and to all of the familys in parkersburg. What a horrific event for anyone to whitness! my deepest saddness to all who know Coach Thomas

Ronnie Little says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:04 PM

From all your friends from What Cheer.Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eds family and friends.Parkersburg has been blessed to have a man of such great character blessing their community. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. Amen

Sharon Grecian says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 6:16 PM

My son Jarod Tylee from West Branch Bears football helped Coach Thomas with the field when the tornado hit there and I talked to him today and he said if felt sick when he heard of this tragedy.

D. Simmons says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 5:52 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Thomas' family. It is not easy to loose someone who is close to you as a family, I can't even fathom what the whole town of Parkersburg is going through.

Judy Bower says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 4:40 PM

What a shock. He was such a nice man. Why would someone do this. Thoughts and prayes with the family.

jdm says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 4:15 PM

How does a family and a whole community recover from something like this?Today the state cries for this pivotal loss to your lives.Follow Coach Thomas' lead, lean on each other,never be afraid to tell it as it is. Someday you will heal, but not today

dolphingurlz27 says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:22 PM

I am so sorry for everybody's loss in Parkersburg. Just take it one day at a time and live your life to the fullest in memory of Coach Thomas.

Jim Hayslett says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:09 PM

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family the school and the town of Parkersburg.

Casey Sheets says ... on Wednesday, Jun 24 at 2:46 PM

This is so sad. Why would anyone want to shoot someone?

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