High Schools:

The recent deaths of some notable celebrities spurred worldwide mourning this week, but the remembrance of life that touched me most was the folks who lined up five blocks deep to pay their respects to popular Iowa high school football coach Ed Thomas on Monday.

Thomas helped young student-athletes in his program transition to manhood — OK the game itself, as those who have played it will recognize, helped too — for 34 seasons as head coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High. He won 292 games, lost only 84, claimed two state championships and four of his former players eventually cashed NFL paychecks. Others became doctors, lawyers, company presidents, professionals, laborers, fathers, grandfathers, teachers and coaches themselves.

He taught social studies and was a driving instructor, oversaw Sunday school classes and served as an elder for his church.

He added to that everyday heroism by becoming a captain within the community after a tornado ripped through town in 2008.

He was, of course, nothing short of a hero, as many involved in amateur athletics in this country are.

It gave me pause when I read that the thousands of mourners spanned generations, gender, race and religion. They had either been touched personally by Coach T., or benefited from his teachings indirectly through a family member or friend.

Dead at 58, at the hands of a gunman alleged to be a former player, Thomas’ passing left a town without its foremost leader. When you said “Coach” in Parkersburg, Iowa, everyone knew who you were talking about. Still do. Probably always will.

So, more than the 1,800 population of Parkersburg turned out for the funeral, many wearing their football jerseys, to remember a selfless servant.

Each, in their own way, will remember Thomas, most with a personal story of how he touched their lives. Some cried and some smiled, but none will likely ever forget.

Commencement came recently, marking a departure for many student-athletes, who may or may not have told their coaches how much they appreciate the time, passion and wisdom those coaches related to them. In some cases, it will take a while for the pupils to process the lessons they learned under their coaches’ tutelage.

But I would hope, when they think of those who never told Coach Thomas how much they appreciated his teachings, they would take a moment to pay their former coaches a visit; send a brief note or e-mail, or perhaps make a phone call.

Give thanks, folks, before doing so requires standing in line.

Yet another lesson — this one delivered posthumously — from Coach T.