Garrett Thomas, UCA tight end from Argyle, Texas, died Sunday, March 13, in Conway, Arkansas at Stadium Park Apartments at the age of 21. 

“Garrett was a very hard worker, gritty, ambitious to be great, always having fun with a smile on his face, always made everyone laugh and was the best in all of us,” teammate Austin Eldridge said.

Thomas was described as the type of friend that everyone needs in their life, someone reliable and always willing to lend a hand or a word of encouragement. 

Eldridge called him “my brother”, teammate and roommate Samuel Camargo agreed saying, “he’s the best roommate I could’ve asked for, we can relate in so many ways. He was more like a brother to me.” 

Thomas always enjoyed spending time with his friends, whether it was hunting, fishing or going out on the weekends, you could find him with his friends. 

“Garrett was the life of the party, he always knew how to put a smile on your face. He always had the energy no matter where he was,” Camargo said. 

His parents said in Thomas’s obituary by Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 

“He was our world and will be deeply missed. We were unprepared for this unexpected loss, but he touched the lives of many and [we] pray he will always be remembered for his heart, determination and passion for life. We feel so blessed that he was our son.”

Thomas was a junior in college, majoring in business. He was on the Dean’s List and had a GPA of 3.44.  

He was a stellar student and friend, and a force to be reckoned with on the field. 

“Meanest dude on the field, no one on the defensive side of the ball wanted to face him,” Eldridge said. 

Thomas had started his college football career as a walk-on, meaning he had no scholarships for football. After suffering many injuries and working hard, Thomas was going to be put on a scholarship at the end of the spring semester. 

Eldridge said, “After three years of hard work, this upcoming summer he was going to be put on scholarship to where he didn’t have to pay for any of his school. It was inspiring to see him do that because that’s what he was always working towards and working so hard for.”

His work ethic and determination was what would’ve led Thomas to a full-ride scholarship.

“The craziest and meanest dude you would want to be by your side on the football field would be Garrett. He was uplifting and the most motivating person I ever met. He always pushed the people around him to get better,” Camargo said. 

Many would agree that Thomas’s love for UCA and his teammates shone bright wherever he went. 

Camargo said, “He was a true UCA Bear at heart and did everything he could to be out on the field with the guys even if it was on the sidelines, or on the stripes, he always wanted to be there for us.”

Thomas’ parents went on to say in the obituary that he was a Christian and that he is probably spending his days in Heaven catching crappie with his grandfather.

“We lost some light in this world, he brought so much joy and happiness in people’s lives. He impacted a lot of people’s lives and we need more people like him. I’m extremely blessed to have crossed paths with him and be able to call him my brother,” Camargo said.