HARTSVILLE, SC – Rev. Theodore B. Thomas Jr., a standout football player at South Carolina State during his college days (1940-47), and an SCSU Hall of Fame inductee, was laid to rest Saturday (April 5, 2014). The funeral for the retired coach and educator, was held at Centenary United Methodist Church of Hartsville. Entombment followed at Darlington Memory Gardens. Thomas died March 31.

        An Orangeburg native, Thomas earned a bachelor's from S.C. State in 47. He initially enrolled at the college in 1940 but had his studies interrupted by a stint in the US Army during World War II. He returned after the war and completed his degree. He went on to earn a master's at Indiana University and did further study at Michigan State University.

        During his Bulldog football career, he earned all-conference and All-America honors. He was inducted into the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.

        His long career in education and coaching began at ClaflinUniversity, however, he gained his notoriety at Hartsville's Butler High School where he spent 30 years as a teacher, coach and athletics director. His tenure included a 584-144 record, two state championships and a number of coaching honors and awards.