Terry Thomas Sr.’s two greatest loves in life were his family and his favorite sport, baseball. The Plant City native, who played in the Negro Leagues and semi-professional baseball leagues in the 1940s and part of the 1950s, died Feb. 16. He was 89.
Terry Thomas Sr., born in the Coronet Quarters, always loved playing sports. He found his calling in baseball after a stint in semi-professional football with the Plant City Trojans and played for the Plant City Aces and Pepsi-Cola Giants between 1944 and 1950. Though he primarily played in the outfield, he was known locally for being able to pitch with either arm — a trait passed on to his son, Terry Thomas Jr.
In 1947, Terry Thomas Sr. was recruited by the Atlanta Black Crackers of the Negro Leagues and spent time playing for them, the Homestead Grays and the New Orleans Black Pelicans. He crossed paths with hall-of-famer Jackie Robinson — whom Terry Thomas Sr. called “the fastest guy I’ve ever seen” in 2016 — and other legends of the game including Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige. He last played in a 1953 all-star exhibition game and tried out for the Detroit Tigers that same year. He is named in the rosters at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.
When Terry Thomas Sr. was playing for Atlanta in the Negro Leagues, before his marriage, he always made sure to send money home to Ruby Williams and their first son. After marrying Williams and learning the couple was expecting another child, he gave up professional baseball to focus on the family. The couple had five children together. He often used the game as an example when teaching life lessons to his children and grandchildren.
Terry Thomas Sr. worked for Lykes Packaging Company for 40 years and also worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Terry Thomas Sr.’s funeral services were held at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church on Feb. 24. There, he received posthumous proclamations from the city and state.
William Thomas Jr. is determined to further preserve his grandfather’s legacy in his hometown. He maintains an exhibit area in the Bing Rooming House museum for local black baseball players, whether they made it to the Negro Leagues or just played locally. Terry Thomas Sr. donated some items from his personal collection to the museum while alive, and the family is arranging for more items to go there in the near future.
“I do what I could to make sure his legacy was etched in what he did, how it related to baseball,” William Thomas Jr. said.
He encourages anyone wishing to donate to the museum, or even looking for information on past players, to reach out to him at ilpc@tampabay.rr.com.