Col. Jack Thomas

Colonel Jack A. Thomas, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, was a four-year letterman in football at Emory & Henry College. Thomas was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 in honor of his athletic accomplishments.

Thomas, who was voted “Mr. Football” at E&H in 1962, was an All-Conference tackle and Williamson Little All-American honoree. He was a captain his senior year and led the team to an 8-0-1 record, beating teams like Appalachian State University.

While in college, Thomas was also a member of Phi Gamma Phi social fraternity, dormitory justice, and the Letterman’s Club.

After graduating, Thomas spent 25 years in the Air Force and flew 360 combat missions in the F-4 in Vietnam. He earned a number of military honors, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Legion of Merit medal, 28 air medals, and four Meritorious U.S. Service medals.  He was a member of the world famous Hurricane Hunters at Ramey Air Force Base, who flew into the eye hurricanes to further the science of meteorology and weather prediction.

Thomas’ civic engagements have included membership in the American Legion and lifetime membership in the Air Force Association VFW and in the Military Officers Association of America.

Col. Jack A. Thomas passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2016.