SOUTH COLTON -- Rodney Thomas, a well-respected teacher and the coach of the 2006 state champion Colts boys’ soccer team, died Monday at age 62.

A 1971 Colton-Pierrepont Central School grad, Thomas was born in Potsdam in 1952. At Potsdam College, he played varsity soccer and baseball while earning a degree in geology and physics along with teaching certification. He began teaching Earth science at CPCS, and was later appointed a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher.

He coached many successful teams in girls’ soccer, girls’ softball, boys’ soccer, and baseball. His girls’ soccer teams won multiple sectional and regional titles. He led the boys’ soccer team to a NYS championship in 2006, and the 1979 girls’ soccer team to a 17-0-0 record and took the Section X and VII championship. He was also active as a softball umpire and high school and college soccer referee.

“Rod was my coach my senior year 1977 and my sister played on the 1978 team which was undefeated,” said CPCS teacher and coach Diane Wolf, “This was an amazing man that touched so many lives in our community,” she said.

He also served as the local teachers’ union president, and worked in the gardens at Sunday Rock and Zion Church alongside his mother. He helped develop Swift Field, and was an avid skier, golfer, and squash player. He and his wife and Cheryl achieved their goal of driving to all 48 continental states.

Visiting hours at the Buck Funeral Home are on Thursday from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m.

The funeral service is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at Zion Episcopal Church in Colton.

Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Rod Thomas Soccer Camp Scholarship c/o James Nee at the Colton-Pierrepont Central School, the Colton Rescue Squad, or the Zion Church.

Memories and condolences can be shared with the family online at www.buckfuneralhome.com.