Thousands Pay Respects To Slain Iowa High School Football Coach

Thousands of mourners have filled a church and nearby community center for the funeral of a beloved Iowa high school football coach who was shot and killed last week. A line of mourners stretched around the corner of First Congregational Church in Parkersburg as people waited to get inside for Monday’s funeral for coach Ed Thomas.

Many others have filled up a community center where a remote broadcast of the service is available.

Thomas was fatally shot Wednesday during a team workout. Authorities have charged 24-year-old Mark Becker, who had played for Thomas, with first-degree murder.
   
Thomas coached for 34 years in the community about 80 miles northeast of Des Moines and had guided several players to the NFL.
   
   
   
    (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)