The Sioux Falls City soccer squad found itself grappling with an unexpected loss when co‑owner Eric Thomas died suddenly at the age of fifty‑three. The news shocked players, staff and fans who had come to view the club as more than a sporting outfit.
A Community in Mourning
Thomas, a respected ophthalmologist who practiced at Ophthalmology Limited, was remembered not only for his medical skill but also for the compassion he extended on and off the field. His partnership with his wife Emily had sparked a shared ambition that reshaped the club’s culture.
Family ties ran deep; his son Taylor Thomas earned a spot on the roster, giving the team a personal connection to the late co‑owner. The elder Thomas’s vision of nurturing young women through sport had become a cornerstone of the club’s identity.
A celebration of Thomas’s life is scheduled for Tuesday at JJ’s, where friends and colleagues will gather from four in the afternoon until seven to share memories and honor his contributions.
Club leaders described the group as a family rather than a mere team, emphasizing how Thomas’s blend of professional dedication and personal generosity forged bonds that extended beyond the pitch.