MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A community in Marion County is mourning the loss of a well-known pop warner coach.
He apparently died at work on Jan. 4. The family is going through an especially hard time since his daughter had just passed away before Christmas.
News 6 spoke with Ramon Tapper, who worked alongside Chuck Thomas as a coach.
He shared with us what a good-natured person his fellow Dunnellon Tiger Coach was.
According to a Facebook post, the well-known pop warner football coach died after an accident while he was at work.
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“He was a fun-loving guy. I mean, he always seemed smiling. He was always on the field, you know, with the kids. He was always very uplifting. You never saw him without a smile on his face,” Tapper said.
The family had just faced a recent tragedy just before Christmas.
“His daughter just passed away. She was 16. Just three and a half weeks ago... The family was just trying to mourn their daughter, and the family is now grieving again since the accident happened,” Tapper told News 6.
Thomas also leaves behind five kids. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family.
He also was an organ donor, and a walk of life tribute was scheduled Monday night for him at HCA Ocala Hospital but has since been postponed.
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
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