Derek Hall Thomas

DEREK HALL THOMAS, age 62, of Jefferson City, TN (formerly of Waynesville, NC), entered into his eternal home on Saturday, February 27, 2016. He is a member of Clyde Church of God in North Carolina. Derek graduated from Mars Hill College in North Carolina and is in both his high school and college Hall of Fame. He was 6 time Coach of the Year in NC & 3 times Coach of Year in Fla. After college, he enlisted in the Army and proudly served his country. Derek was a retired teacher and coach but his love for sports, especially basketball, resulted in his owning his own Innovative Basketball Training Academy and also becoming part owner of Whooos Bouncing. His reward was not only getting to teach the skills necessary to play the game of basketball but also teach the skills necessary to be successful in life (dedication, hard work, perseverance and graciousness in winning and losing). Through God’s divine plan, Derek met the love of his life, Carolyn, and they were married May 29, 2015. They both loved to travel and had made many plans for this summer. Derek was looking so forward to teaching Carolyn and their great niece, Matti, the skills needed to play golf. Unfortunately, their plans were altered on Saturday when God called him home. Although their time together seemed brief, that time was truly a blessing from God. Derek will always be remembered as a devoted husband, loving dad, proud papa, great friend to everyone he met and an inspiring mentor to young people. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. His passing has made Heaven that much sweeter and Carolyn is looking forward to him greeting her with open arms in a place where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow and no more separations and it will be forever and ever. What a reunion that will be. Derek is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Elder Thomas; daughter, Brandie Thomas Mercado; granddaughter, Sophie; mother, Zoro Thomas; Brother, Stanley; Uncle, Hubert Thomas; mother & father-in-law, Dramah and Ralph Elder; brother and sister-in-law, David and Kristy Elder; niece, Brittany; nephew, Collin; great niece, Matti. He also leaves behind many close friends and family. Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2016, at Farrar Funeral Home, Jefferson City, with Pastor Clifton Jackson officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. Family and friends will meet at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning at Farrar Funeral Home, Jefferson City, to proceed to Deep Springs Cemetery in Jefferson County, for an 11:00 a.m. graveside interment service with Military Honors. A Celebration of Derek’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Polk County High School in North Carolina. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 865-475-3892