Orrie Michael “Coach” Thomas, 72, of Hartford, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Ohio County Hospital. Mike was born May 18, 1951, in Evansville, Indiana, to the late Orrie Norman and Helen Raley Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Judith Ann Sutton, and Patricia Sue Fahrholz, both of Evansville.
At a young age, Mike became interested in sports, playing football, baseball, and basketball. Later, in his early teen years, he coached Don Mattingly in Little League. Mike had such love for the game. He became assistant coach with Brad Frazier in 1984; then in 1988, he became coach and president of the Evansville AAU Basketball Club. He then coached in the greater Evansville area through the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. He also loved photography and refereeing.
Mike loved God which led to the Instruction in Theology, Evansville. He mentored and coached hundreds of boys from middle school age through high school. Mike handpicked players for his teams – he was an excellent judge of talent. He was given the nickname, “Money Mike”. If “Money” said he could play, then it was the truth. Most of his boys went on to play at the next level, D1, D2, D3, Junior College (JUNCO), and the NBA. After retiring from coaching, he kept in touch with many of his players.
Mike worked for the Anderson family at Anderson Capital Partners from 1992 until his retirement in 2021. He was an operations manager at the Henderson and Owensboro locations.
In the last phase of his life, Mike continued telling his stories to whomever would listen, often asking “What’s your story?” In his last few years, he battled multiple health problems head on by joining a program called “Get Fit for Surgery”. Since retiring, Mike lost 113 pounds. He had great determination and succeeded. He was facing hernia and bilateral knee replacement surgeries. He was a Christian and attended Pathway Baptist Church in Beaver Dam, KY. He always enjoyed watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Surviving is his wife, Lorie Brown Thomas of Hartford; his 101 year old aunt, Margaret M. Raley of Evansville; sisters, Donna Hinkel, and Cathy (Don) Barbray; a brother, John Thomas of Jacksonville, FL; nieces and nephews, Patty (Chris) Pohl of Haubstaudt, IN, Terry Travis (Ron) of Evansville, Jeff Sutton of Evansville, and Christina (Kevin) Middendorf of St Louis, Sara Bowers of Jacksonville, FL, Tracey (Craig) Reaves of Jacksonville, FL, and Kerry Hinkel and Father Marty Hinkel of Miami, FL; as well as several cousins, great and great-great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his father-in-law, Curtis Trogden of Hartford; brothers-in-law, David (Tab) Trogden and Dale Trodgen of Hartford; stepsons, Jacob (Jennifer) Brown and Travis Brown, all of Hartford; step-grandchildren, Kaleb, Jacey, and Kylee Brown of Hartford; and several step great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Continuing his legacy of giving, Mike was a KODA donor.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Care was entrusted to Cardinal Cremation Society.