The remains of Coach Ed Thomas' second home, Aplington-Parkersburg High School, shown here over a month after the tornado hit. The town is still working to recover from the early summer disaster. Photo by Amanda Gahler
EMILY SCHMITT KNIGHTLIFE EDITOR
The Parkersburg community was forever changed on May 25, 2008. At 4:56 p.m., an EF5 tornado plowed through the small town.
When Ed Thomas and his wife emerged from their basement, their home was gone. That day, nearly 200 houses, 22 businesses, the city hall and Aplington-Parkersburg High School were blown off the map.
Since the tornado, Thomas has become a source of inspiration and faith in the community. Thomas is a government and economics teacher, athletics director, football coach and boys track coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School.
Thomas’ speech, “A Test of Character,” will share the inspiring story of a community strengthened by destruction. He will speak during “The Gate” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, in McCaskey Lyceum as part of Wartburg’s Spiritual Emphasis Week.
“As a Christian, I saw the power that God has with the devastation that took place,” he said. “But I also saw the mercy and grace that he showed the community.”
After the tornado, Thomas promised God he would speak about his experience.
He will talk about taking a negative and making it a positive and about how to deal with the choices in life.
“It’s going to be about our situation here in Parkersburg and what we went through,” Thomas said. “It’s about dealing with adversity.”
“I think…through adversity our faith grows, our character grows. It’s the idea of helping one another. Of noticing people are hurting and lending a hand to those that need it.”
Nate Palmolea, The Gate co-director, said Thomas is a perfect keynote speaker for Spiritual Emphasis Week.
“I believe that his experiences helping young people overcome disaster can be a great example to students at Wartburg,” Palmolea said.
“He understands how to spread God’s Word in a caring, non-threatening manner.”
Thomas said the community’s rebuilding efforts have been unbelievable.
“We have seen neighbor helping neighbor. Many times that doesn’t take place because people are too busy,” he said. “Our community, school and churches are going to be a lot stronger from what we have gone through.”
In a community where everything stops on Friday night while the high school football team plays, Thomas is well known.
During 33 years of coaching at the school, he had one losing season and his teams won two state titles. Four of his players have gone on to play in the NFL, quite a feat for a high school that has 240 students.
Thomas has led life focused on more than winning and losing, something he teaches his students and players.
Every spring, he offers a leadership course in the mornings to football players who wish to be involved.
Athletes learn what leadership is about from their coach, who teaches them the concept of servant-leadership.
“It helps them understand what it’s like to help others. Leadership is about putting yourself second and helping others,” Thomas said. “They have a better understanding of what leadership is, they have a servant mentality.”
Palmolea hopes Thomas’ story will inspire the Wartburg community.
“As schoolwork picks up and students begin to worry about summer and post-grad plans, I believe Mr. Thomas’ message of hope will put students at ease regarding their own personal struggles,” Palmolea said.