Thank you, Star Editor Bob Davis, for the article about my friend Spanky Thomas.
I had the privilege of attending grades 7 through 9 with him in Dothan, compete against him in football in the 7th and 8th grades and be his teammate at Dothan High in the 9th grade. My family moved to Enterprise the next summer and I never attended school with him again, but I certainly kept up with his accolades.
Spanky was highly respected by his classmates and all those around him. I remember the night my mother called me to tell me he had been killed in Orlando. I never imagined that was 20 years ago.
Every school should be blessed enough to have someone like Spanky attend there. As the article shared, his leadership qualities just came natural and he would outwork anybody. I had my 10th grade son and 8th grade daughter read this article. I hope they realize what a special person he was and strive to emulate some of his characteristics.
The headline, “The legacy we leave behind,” is perfect for the gift that Spanky gave to those who met him. I can only hope to impact one or two people in my lifetime the way Spanky impacted everyone he met. I shared the article with my Sunday school class and encouraged them to read it. The life he led could be used to teach many Sunday school lessons. Thanks for remembering a great man.
Scott Snellgrove
Anniston
