TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
born, Derrick and Brenda. Don lost both his wife, Phyllis and his son, Derrick within two weeks of each other in 2011. Don and Phyllis were long time mem- bers of Mt. Paran Baptist Church. Don began his distinguished profes- sional teaching, counseling and coaching career at Crispus Attucks High School in 1957. He continued his professional career at Shortridge, Arlington, and Northwest High Schools. While coach- ing at Shortridge, he established lifelong personal friendships with numerous players. He officially retired from his 40- year career as an IPS educator in 1997. While a quiet and private man, Don was involved with several organizations including: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., The Romans Social Club, and P.O. Pluggers Bass Fishing Club. Fishing was his passion. His love and skill for the game of basketball led him to a success- ful coaching career and an induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Fraternity and a member of Rocky Mount (NC) Alumni, entered the Chapter Invisible on July 8 2020, the youngest of three children of the late Omega Solomon Warden and the late Alpha Solomon, Sr. Orphan at age 10, Solomon was raised by his aunt Ms. Mae McWilliams Cofield. He began college at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) and completed his education at North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University) earning a B.A. degree in business administration. Solomon began his second master’s degree in educational administration at North Carolina State University and he completed studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Solomon served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a paratrooper with the Elite 82 nd Airborne Division and completed 22 courageous jumps. In 1960 Solomon began his professional career as a devoted educator began in Moore County, NC, where he taught math, driver's education, and coached the men's basketball team at Berkeley High School including coaching the Berkeley team to a state championship. Solomon then served as a principal in the Halifax (NC) County school system from 1979 until 2004. From 1967 until 1978, Solomon served as manager and funeral director of Cofield Funeral Home in Enfield, NC. Solomon also was a member of the Board of Trustees at Halifax (NC) Community College. Solomon was politically active in his community. He was a member of the Halifax County Coalition for Progress. He worked many years as a First Responder for his local EMS. Brother Ruel Solomon is preceded in death by his wife, Lille J. Solomon. He is survived by daughter, Dr. Karla L. Solomon; two well-accomplished, proud grandsons, TraéKarl M. Solomon and his namesake, Ruel Solomon Jones; granddaughter, äRaja Zyraé Pittman; four great - grandchildren, Ajaé King Solomon; Lilliãnna, Karliyah, and BellaRosé Solomon; and one sister, Dr. Willa Cofield and a host of friends,
relatives and colleagues.
Donald A. Thomas 1932-2020 Indianapolis Educator, Coach
Donald A. Thomas (Nu
1956) entered the Chapter Invisible on July 29, 2020, at the age of 88. He lived a fulfill- ing, inspiring and blessed life as
a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a dear friend and mentor to many. Donald Andrew Thomas was born January 29, 1932, in Indianapolis, IN to the late Joseph A. and Anna (Mays) Thomas and was an only child. Grow- ing up in Indianapolis, Thomas had an extensive academic and basketball career. He attended Public School #42 and graduated from historic Crispus At- tucks High School in 1950. He earned his B.S. degree in Secondary Education from Indiana Central College (Univer- sity of Indianapolis) in 1956. His gradu- ate work was completed in 1960 with a Master’s Degree in Guidance Counsel- ing and Secondary Administration from Butler University. He also attended Indiana University. On July 29, 1953, Don was drafted into the U.S. Army, during the Korean Con- flict. He was granted an Honorable Dis- charge on June 8, 1955 after serving two years. During his tour of duty, he played basketball for the Ft. Knox Kentucky Post Team and was a physical training instructor for the troops. In 2018, Don was selected to participate in the Indy Honor Flight to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. On Nov. 2 1956, he married Phyllis M. Rochester. Together they shared 55 years. To this union, two children were
He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis and son, Derrick.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter Brenda Thomas Perry; daugh- ter-in-law, Sheila Thomas; grandchil- dren Devin (Alicia) Thomas, Courtney Thomas, Cheyenne Perry and Ciera Perry; great-grandchildren Daxon and Willow Thomas, Mikey and Micah Har- ris, and Channing Perry; like a daughter, Eleanor Anderson; like a granddaughter, Erica Williams; like a great-granddaugh- ter, Akira Walton.
76 | WINTER 2020-SPRING 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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