Clyde Thomas won All-State honours at both basketball and football while attending Bellaire High School. Thomas moved on to Ohio University where we was a starting running back and helped them win a conference championship in 1960.

Thomas joined the BC LIons for two games as a running back in 1961. After that, thomas starred in the Continental Football League with the Wheeling Ironmen during the 1960s.

After his football career ended, Thomas went on to hav ea long and successful business career in Wheeling, WV.

Clyde Thomas passed away on October 12m 2006.

Obituary for Clyde Thomas
Thomas, Clyde A., 66, of Wheeling, WV passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2006 in the Acuity Specialty Hospital of the Ohio Valley, Steubenville, OH. He was born April 5, 1940 in Bellaire, OH the son of the late Willie and Jessie Perkins Thomas. Clyde was a 1958 high school graduate of Bellaire High School in Bellaire, OH; attended Ohio University in Athens, OH where he was on the MAC Championship Team in 1960 and graduated from West Liberty State College in West Liberty, WV in 1970 with a BS Degree. He also was a US Army Veteran and a Methodist by faith. He was a self employed insurance agent having worked for New York Life Insurance Company from 1970-1971 and Nationwide Life Insurance Company where he had his own agency known as Clyde A. Thomas Insurance from 1969 until 1986. He was an instructor in Business Administration at West Liberty State College from 1983-1984; an Interim Manager at the Wheeling Civic Center, Wheeling, WV from 1986-1987; a job development, EO Compliance Officer and summer Youth Coordinator at the Northern Panhandle Private Industry Council, Wheeling, WV from 1987-1990; a director of JTPA training at WV Northern Community College, Wheeling, WV from 1990-1994; a Program Coordinator from 1994-1996 at Independent Contractor/State of West Virginia; a past Vice President of Client Services at Geoff Coy Management Group and a Sales Representative at Osborn Communication Corporation, Wheeling, WV. Clyde was a professional football player as a running back for the Vancouver British Columbia Lions-Canadian Football League in 1961; was a running back for the Wheeling Ironmen from 1964-1965, went to the Philadelphia Eagles as a running back from 1965-1966 and returned back to the Wheeling Ironmen until 1969. As an Ironmen, he was the most valuable player and leading rusher and kickoff return leader. He was elected to Wheeling City Council in 1971 and served for 20 years. In this time period, he served as Vice Mayor. He was a former Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors at West Liberty State College; was former Vice Chairman and board member of the Wheeling Municipal Auditorium Board; appointed by Governor of West Virginia of Board of Insurance and Risk Management; member of the Hall of Fame Board and a member of the National Football League Players Association where he was a past Chapter Vice President. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. Surviving are his loving wife, Ann Thomas; two sons, Shawn E. Thomas of Wheeling, WV and Scott A. Thomas and his wife, Veda of Andrews Air Force Base, MD; a brother, Charles F. Thomas and his wife, Donna of Columbus, OH; a sister, Elsie D. Miller of Washington, DC; three grandchildren, Carrie A. Thomas, Ajah and Elijah Thomas; a step grandson, Donavan Ware and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received on Monday, October 16, 2006 from 7-9 p m and on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 from 2-4 and 6-8 p m at the Kepner Funeral Home, 1308 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV. Services will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 11 a m at Christ United Methodist Church, 1232 National Rd, Wheeling, WV with Dr Roger L. Smith officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, WV. Moundsville Veteran Honor Guard will conduct military graveside services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Clyde Thomas Scholarship Fund, c/o BB&T Bank, 1145 Main St, Wheeling, WV 26003. Personal condolences may be offered to the family at www.kepnerfuneral.com.