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Obituary For Demond Tysae Thomas
With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Demond Tysae Thomas—a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, coach, mentor, hometown sports legend, and cherished friend. While his remarkable athletic accomplishments earned him recognition throughout Kentucky and across the nation, the roles he treasured most were those of Dad, Grandfather, Son, Brother, and Coach.
Born and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Demond was a proud graduate of Elizabethtown High School, where his extraordinary athletic ability first began to shine. Demond was drafted in 1991 by the Chicago White Sox. He continued his education and athletic career at Campbellsville University, earning NAIA All-American honors. His outstanding achievements on the field ultimately led to his induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame, a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion for the game.
In 1991, Demond was honored as the Kentucky Athlete of the Year, one of the Commonwealth’s highest athletic recognitions. His love for competition continued beyond college as he went on to become a professional softball player, earning the admiration and respect of teammates, competitors, and fans alike.
While Demond’s athletic accomplishments were extraordinary, they were never what defined him.
After his playing career, he found his true calling in giving back to the next generation. As a dedicated baseball coach at Central Hardin High School, Demond helped lead the Bruins to a Kentucky State Baseball Championship, a milestone that reflected not only his knowledge of the game but also his ability to inspire young athletes to believe in themselves and one another.
His passion for coaching extended far beyond one team. Throughout Hardin and LaRue Counties, Demond devoted countless years to coaching, mentoring, and encouraging young athletes. To hundreds of children and families, he was far more than a coach. He was a mentor, teacher, role model, and friend. He believed every child deserved someone who believed in them, and he spent countless hours teaching discipline, perseverance, teamwork, humility, and character. His greatest victories were never measured by championships but by the confidence he instilled, the lives he influenced, and the young people who became better men and women because of his guidance.
Above all else, Demond’s greatest love was his family.
His heart belonged to his three beautiful daughters, Taylor Thomas (Quintez),Bailey Thomas, and Sydney Thomas (Austin).They were his greatest joy, proudest accomplishment, and the center of his world. Every achievement he celebrated and every challenge he faced was done with his daughters in mind, and his love for them was unwavering.
One of the greatest blessings of his life was becoming the proud grandfather of his precious first granddaughter, Bexley Cristina Barbour. Although her beautiful life was taken far too soon, the love Demond had for Bexley was immeasurable. She forever held a special place in his heart, and those who loved him find comfort in imagining the joyful reunion between Papaw and his sweet granddaughter—a reunion filled with the love that neither time nor loss could ever diminish.
Demond was blessed beyond measure by the unwavering love and support of his parents, Richard Thomas and Charmaine Thomas, whose constant encouragement carried him through every triumph and every challenge. Their faith in him helped shape the compassionate, determined, and resilient man he became.
He also shared an unbreakable bond with his devoted brother, Chaz, whose lifelong friendship, loyalty, and love remained one of the greatest blessings of his life.
Anyone who knew Demond knew there was one team that always had his heart—the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Whether cheering from the stands, watching every game, or proudly wearing Kentucky blue, he was a Wildcat through and through. His enthusiastic cry of “Go Big Blue!” became part of who he was and reflected the pride and passion with which he lived his life.
While many will remember Demond for the awards he received, the championships he celebrated, and the records he set, those fortunate enough to know him personally will remember something far greater. They will remember his infectious smile, generous spirit, compassionate heart, unwavering loyalty, and his remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel important. He never met a stranger, never hesitated to lend a helping hand, and never stopped believing in the potential of others.
Demond is survived by his loving parents, Richard Thomas and Charmaine Thomas; his beloved daughters, Taylor Thomas Quintez, Bailey Thomas, and Sydney Thomas Austin; his brother, Chaz Thomas; his aunt, Sheryl Clemmons and LaTanya McKenzie; his uncles, Carl Green Pauline, Tim Weathers Angela, and Chuck Weathers; his cherished nephew, Mason Thomas; his special nephew, Gatlin Kennedy; his favorite cousin, Kha’Deidra Barnett; his special cousin, Brenda Moten; along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, dear friends, former teammates, fellow coaches, and the countless young athletes whose lives were forever changed by his encouragement, leadership, and unwavering belief in them.
Demond was preceded in death by his cherished granddaughter, Bexley Cristina Barbour; his maternal grandparents, James Weathers and Nellie Cummings; his paternal grandparents, Richard Thomas and Armenthia Thomas; his sisters, Armenthia Thomas and Nellie Thomas; his aunt, Margaret Pettigrew; and his uncles, Kenneth Thomas and Robert Weathers.
Though our community has lost one of its greatest champions, Demond’s legacy will live on in every child he inspired, every athlete he coached, every lesson he taught, and every life he touched. His greatest victories were never found on a scoreboard. They were found in the hearts of his family, the lives of the children he mentored, the friendships he cherished, and the love he gave so freely.
May he now rest peacefully in the loving arms of God, reunited with his precious granddaughter, Bexley Cristina Barbour, watching over all those he loved until they meet again.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Go Big Blue. Forever.
Homegoing services will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, July 31, 2026 at First Baptist Church, Elizabethtown with Rev. Shayne Stockton officiating. Burial will follow in Elizabethtown City Cemetery.
Visitation is after 5:00 pm, Thursday July 30, 2026 at the church.
Percell and Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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Add A CondolenceWe are very sorry to hear about the loss of our teammate Demond. I wanted to share a couple of stories from the high school days at least. From basketball, In general we all just looked towards Demond in really every part of the game. Because he was a great ball-handler, passer, and tremendous defender; we never even doubted the fact he was going to take most of our teams' shots as well. He would rise over a defender from way beyond the 3 point line and usually I would think "block out and get ready to rebound" but when it was Demond, I would think "okay, when this goes in, we need to be ready to set the press". Demond just had that special confidence that gave us confidence as well.
The best basketball story I have is our game against Lexington Lafayette Demond's junior year. Both teams were highly ranked and video evidence of this story even exists because WAVE 3 or WHAS was filming that night. At any rate, Demond took a pass on the fast break at about midcourt right in front of Coach French and everyone in the gym knew he was going to try and dunk it. (Coach French was probably thinking "You better make this!") Only problem was that about a 6' 2" player from Lafayette knew it too and he was literally already set up to take a charge. Demond was undeterred and proceeded to physically jump over the player and complete the dunk. Only problem was, the referee had already blown his whistle assuming it was most likely going to be a charge. Realizing that he had witnessed what he had actually witnessed. He went ahead and called a block but in reality Demond had cleared the guy completely. It was simply one of the greatest dunks I've ever witnessed and it happened in Charlie Rawlings gym!!
Last story, this is a baseball one. We were playing one of the Owensboro teams, who had a major league prospect on their roster, and Demond was throwing like a 1 hitter. Their best player was batting and the count had gone full, 3 balls 2 strikes. Demond called timeout and asked Pinkman (Bill) to come visit. Turns out it was because Demond wanted to throw a knuckleball. Now we had signals for fastball, change up, slider, and curve but evidently there was a reason we didn't have one for the knuckleball. I can only assume Coach Mullins and Myers thought maybe the knuckleball wasn't ready. Anyway, Demond looked back at me playing short and just whispered "knuckleball" and just had that special gleam in his eye. So, I didn't think a thing of it. He threw the pitch and the guy literally dented the scoreboard in left field with it! As the player was rounding the bases, Demond just looked at me and laughed, struck out the next two guys and we won the game.
All that to say, whether you were an older or younger teammate, we all simply looked up to Demond in a way that I'm not sure has been duplicated in my lifetime. He simply carried that pride and power that you just felt he was superhuman. With all my heart, I hope he is in heaven getting to organize some unbelievably competitive pick up games, in whatever sports he chooses, because he could play them all. Rest in peace.
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Dear Charmaine and Richard, It's been a long time since I've seen you but I will always remember what a handsome, sweet young man Framp was. I am so sorry for your loss and pray God comforts your family and gives you strength and peace. Always, Andrea (Anne)
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
