JOHN THOMAS: THE MAN, THE LEGEND of Brockton died Jan 15, 2013 in the Brockton Hospital.
John was born in Boston Son of the late Curtis and Ida (Shanks) Thomas. He was a resident of Brockton for the past 45 years coming from Boston.
Survivors include 3 Daughters Nikol C. Thomas of Woonsocket RI, Eva Thomas of Sweden, and Stephanie Finley of Medford, 2 Sons Danye A. Thomas of Brockton and John C. Thomas of Wareham, Also Father of the late Antonio H. Thomas, 12 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandson.
John Thomas began his track career at Rindge Technical High School in Cambridge, MA. As a 17-year old freshman, JT captured the athletic world when he set the world indoor high jumping record. On January 31, 1959 at the Millrose Games, competing against Charles Dumas, the world's first 7-foot high jumper (1956), JT became the first man to ever jump 7-feet indoors. The Millrose Games is considered the most renowned indoor track meet in the World. He missed the rest of the 1959 season due to an elevator accident that nearly severed his jumping foot. Ten months later, at the Knights of Columbus track meet at the Boston Garden before 10,000 spectators cleared 7'1", the highest jump ever, indoors or out. That season he further improved the indoor record at the 1960 Millrose Games and AAU Indoor Championships. JT broke the outdoor record three times with a career best of 7' 3 3/4" at the 1960 Olympic Trials.
JT was a two-time Olympic medalist earning the bronze in 1960 in Rome and four years later in Tokyo the silver. Both he and the great Soviet Union jumper Valeriy Brumel broke the Olympic record. Brumel took the gold on the basis of fewer misses. "VINDICATION" read a headline to a UPI story exalting JT's performance and appeared on the front page of The New York Times. When interviewed, JT talked about his love of high jumping. "I always loved being up there...There was a feeling you'd get up there, if you did it right...I have a silver and a bronze. And I have that feeling, you know? I am not sure a gold medal would have made it any better." Competing all over the world, the rivalry between Brumel and JT, at the peak of the Cold War" was considered by many to be the most dramatic rivalry in the history of track and field.
Before he completed his illustrious athletic career in 1968, JT won five AAU championships and two outdoors. His performance at the 1959 Millrose Games was selected as "the most memorable moment" in the meet's history. JT won at Millrose six times and the event was later named, "The John Thomas High Jump."
JT graduated from Boston University in 1963. During his career he cleared the magical 7-foot barrier an amazing 191 times. He is a member of the Massachusetts High School, Ridge Tech, Boston University, Helms Foundation, and the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame. The Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated named him among the greatest athletes of the century.
For years, JT was on the Cambridge Council-Boys Scouts of America and was an Eagle Scout. He served on many boards and most recently at the Brockton Public Library. He retired from Roxbury Community College where he was the athletic director after having been involved for many years in sport administration, coaching, public relations, advertising among other things. JT loved attending the annual Hall of Fame inductions at Boston University and was actively involved in the Rindge Alumni Association. In 2009, JT was chosen as Rindge "Man of the Year.' JT served as President of the New England Olympians chapter and was a nationally certified track and field official.
JT exemplified the very best in sport and represented his country with great pride. He maintained a life long relationship with his rival Brumel. He considered his Olympic teammates and the thousands of friendships made through his years competing and those that followed as one of the most meaningful parts of his life.
Services will be celebrated in the Temple Adventiste 235 Court St Brockton Tuesday Jan 22nd at 7 pm. Cremation to follow. John's Family will be receiving friends from 12 noon to 7 pm everyone is cordially invited to attend. George F Fiske III, Director. For further info please visit (www.funerariasmulticulturel.com)