Evansville Central
1958-1961

Otha Ray Thomas was one of eight brothers and a sister of Rev. Richard and Gwendolyn Thomas of Evansville, Indiana.

While a student at Evansville Central High School, Thomas played football and became an All-State performer, excelling in track and field. Standing 5-9 and weighing 128 pounds as a senior, Thomas advanced to the 1961 IHSAA State Track and Field State Finals. Accompanying the talented long jumper was Central track coach Charlie Ogg. Coach Ogg had previously guided Don Ashby to the long jump championship in 1960.

"I have to give Mr. Ogg most of the credit for developing me and believing I could win the State Meet."

During the competition, Thomas scratched on his first two qualifying jumps, but on his third jump he recorded a leap of 22-10, which was enough to put him in the long jump finals. Then Ray let loose with a leap of 23-3, which set a new IHSAA State Finals record--the longest in the 56-year history of the meet. The existing record was a leap of 23-2 1/2 by Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame member Earl Smith of Gary Roosevelt in 1952.

Upon graduating from high school, Thomas accepted a scholarship to compete at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Disenchanted with the facilities at KSU, Thomas left after two years and headed first to Cleveland, then on to Chicago. While pursuing a career in the trades union, he also enrolled in the prestigious Jackson Conservatory of Music. The Thomas family had always been highly involved in their church and in performing.

Otha Ray Thomas resides in Gardena, California, where he plays the piano and sings for several churches.