The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lorain HOF inductee Dave Thomas, 71, dies
Legendary Lorain County coach Dave Thomas died March 25after a battle with cancer at age 71.
Legendary Lorain County coach Dave Thomas passed away March 25 after a battle with cancer.
He was 71 years old. Thomas was an influential figure in Lorain County and impacted countless lives during his extensive coaching career.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen, son Derek, daughter Jennifer and four grandchildren.
Derek Thomas was coached by his father from age 5 throughout his high school soccer career at Lorain Catholic High School.
“He loved his players, and he had a special bond with all of us,” Thomas said. “That’s something that we’ve taken into our families and how we raise our kids. He also had that underdog mentality, and he could motivate anyone — that was his thing. He was a motivator, he was very inspirational and he had a passion for helping people. He enjoyed every minute of it.”
Thomas had a special bond with not only his players and the community, but with his family as well. Thomas said his father enjoyed spending time with his wife and his family. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
“He would always be at his grandkids’ games,” Thomas said. “He lived for his kids and his grandkids and my mom, (he did) everything with my mom. He loved spending time with his family, especially my mom. Their weekends consisted of getting their folding chairs and figuring out which game they were going to together.”