Garrett Thomas’ friends and family gathered on the stripes at Estes Stadium on Wednesday, April 6 for a memorial service to honor and celebrate his life. Thomas died on March 13th at Stadium Park Apartments on campus. Thomas fell from an apartment balcony.
Coach Nathan Brown led the memorial service as he stood beside a table with Thomas’ football helmets and jersey. A flower arrangement was also placed above the 43-yard line, which was the number Thomas wore on the field.
“Our goal tonight is to honor him, his family, the Thomas’s, but more so than anything to point a tough, tragic situation toward God,” Brown said.
Family and friends told stories about Thomas and the life that he lived. Thomas was described as selfless, respectful and disciplined. Thomas’ mother Jennifer Thomas also shared the meaning of his name. “He can tell a jolly joke, a man who is amable and kind, who follows his instinct, heartfelt, genuine and sincere …” Thomas said. “… And I really think that sums up Garrett,”
His family and friends also spoke about his dedication to football and his love for fishing.
“He impacted our lives every day, and he was so loved,” said UCA tight end Austin Eldridge.
Brown said, along with his dedication to football and love for fishing, “he exuded the term student-athlete.”
Thomas was a 3.5 GPA student and was within a year of graduating.
UCA football not only honored Thomas at the memorial but will continue to honor his legacy for years to come. Brown announced at the service that the number 43 will be retired for the 2022 season.
“Garrett will be with us. No one will be wearing number 43. Number 43 will be with us on the sideline, obviously in our heart, our spirit and our minds,” Brown said.
Along with retiring his jersey number, there will be a scholarship named in honor of Thomas for future student-athletes who come to UCA as a walk-on or non-scholarship player.
“Moving forward we will award a scholarship in the name of Garrett Thomas, number 43, to a non-scholarship athlete that gives and pursues the same excellence that Garett did and that will live on for as long as UCA football is alive,” Brown said.
Brown closed the memorial service with a prayer and let Thomas’ parents, Jeff and Jennifer Thomas, know they will always be a part of the UCA family.