Daisy2018 Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 This is really out of left field, but... 31 years ago I got married and moved to a new area, began teaching Special Ed. in a very small school district in Iowa. I taught with several people whose example really helped me be a much better teacher. One of the best was a football coach who helped me motivate my high school age students to work hard, so they could participate in football. He never turned a student away, if they were making the effort in school. His name was Ed Thomas, and he taught at Parkersburg High school. He had been there all these years, a true teacher, coach, community leader. They had a tornado that leveled the town and school last year, he made sure things were up and running that fall for school. Today he died at the hospital where my sister in law works, he had been shot by a former student this AM in the weight room of the temp. school. I was surprised to see his story on national news today, my SIL had emailed me it happened. I am so sorry such a wonderful person, with a lifetime of good, is dead. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I saw that on TV this afternoon. My heart goes out to his family and all who loved him. School teachers don't get paid that much compaired to other professional careers. Good teachers and coaches do it for the kids. I know you all will miss him and the impact he had with all those kids. So, so, sorry. The news didn't say why he was shot. Does anybody know, will anybody really ever know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 So sorry to hear this sad news. He will never be forgotten by those whose lives were affected so greatly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Oh Pat, I JUST saw this on the news not 15 minutes ago. I am so sorry! When I heard it, I just couldn't believe it!! That's not the line of work where you would worry about your hubby coming home or not. It is just so sad! I am praying for the family and all the people that he touched! So sorry!!! linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Prayers for you and for all that knew him. Our world is changing and may mercy, grace and love touch more lives so that this type of anger lessens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IQ'd Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Words cannot express the emotion this kind of tragedy evokes. God bless him and all who knew and loved him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 What a horrible way to end a wonderful life. It's beyond comprehension why someone would do this to one of the good guys. My hope is that Ed Thomas's legacy as a positive role model is perpetual and that good humanity will result from this tragedy. I am sure someone like Ed would want that. I can't imagine the large empty hole that is left in many people's lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Pat, I'm so sorry for you, Ed's family and all those whose life he touched! What a sad day indeed. Prayers and ((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))) to you and all those that will miss Ed Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 No words are enough. Hugs and prayers for all those he left behind and that there will be justice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonbon Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 My heart and arms extend to all those lives he touched and gave his all. And to you too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 My heart aches at times like this. Please know all of you who knew and loved Mr. Thomas, are in my prayers. So sorry such insanity can happen so easily and quickly. RitaR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 My heart goes out to you and his family. I agree, teachers do not get paid enough. Sad to say that in these times teachers take their lives into their own hands each day they walk into a classroom. I have a friend who is a teacher and not one week goes by that someone doesn't pull a knife or other weapon on him (high school principle). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appr216 Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 I too had heard this news and was saddened by it. Prayers go out to your community, his family and you. Hugs, Judi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrystitcher Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 As an Iowan, this has been on the news for two days....we are all in shock...luckily the guy didn't turn the gun on the 50 students in the weight room. But the best news is the man was a very strong Christian and knew Jesus Christ as his personal savior, he's in heaven now probably coaching football! This has to be a very comforting thought to his family. We are all praying for the family, the school kids, the community, and the man who killed him. Thanks to the forum folks here for prayers Sharon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calicokat Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 So sorry to hear of this. He was a wonderful man, I think I read about him and the restoration of the football field in a recent Guideposts magazine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda G. Craig Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Hugs and prayers to all who knew and loved him....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.