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School Crossing Guard Richard Thomas leaves behind a lasting legacy following his passing after years of directing traffic and bonding with students and families during an award-winning career in Virginia.
The state's "Most Outstanding Crossing Guard" in 2023 "knew how to keep everyone in the world around him safe," organizers of a GoFundMe campaign wrote.
"With 19 years of unwavering dedication to John Adams Elementary School, Thomas excels in ensuring student safety," the Virginia DOT said when announcing his award. "Thomas manages a highly complex intersection with grace, ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and families.
"Thomas is set apart by his efficient traffic management skills, but especially his genuine warmth and friendliness."
The crossing guard was known for his "high-fives and contagious enthusiasm," which officials said "created an atmosphere of joy and comfort as they begin their school day."
A funeral for Thomas was held on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Harvest Assembly Baptist Church.
"This is such a shock," one well-wisher posted on social media. "He was a fixture in our kids lives and brought so many smiles day after day. He was definitely a treasure and I feel blessed he was a part of our lives."
Another added, "Wow this is so sad. Is been like a week we haven't seen him at the John Adams school.
"We miss saying good morning ... Every time we get there with my kids, He was such a nice person."
Friends and family are now rallying community support for Thomas, as they hope to send him back to his native Trinidad, where he told family he wanted to "enjoy the fruits of his labor in a place he knew as home.
"Throughout his life he worked so hard. He was always going to work or coming from work," organizers of a GoFundMe on his family's behalf wrote. "Regardless of his schedule, Richard always made time for his kids. He was always so excited to see his kids and be there for them."
In his rare spare time, the father full of "dad jokes" enjoyed watching pick-up soccer games in Alexandria and Arlington, and was a fixture at the Caribbean carnival in Baltimore each summer.
"We saw (him) every school day, making sure the children and families of John Adams Elementary were safe getting to and from school," another parent added. "He always had a pleasant smile and always gave my family a wave on the way into the school drop off line."
He also loved "being able to travel back to his home country of Trinidad," according to the GoFundMe campaign. "To respect his wishes, Richard’s final resting place will be where it all started."
Those interested in helping send Thomas home can do so here.
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