‘He cared so much.’ Mecklenburg jail officer, father of 3 killed in crash
Brandon Thomas was a father of three young children, a basketball player, a detention center officer who loved his job, and a practical joker, family and friends told The Charlotte Observer.
Thomas, 35, died Sept. 15 in a motorcycle crash in Shelby, North Carolina. No other vehicles were involved in the wreck, according to a Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office news release. He was originally from Bessemer City.
Thomas worked at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office as a detention center officer for just over two years before his death, according to the release.
“He enjoyed the people that he worked with,” said his longtime girlfriend and mother of his children, London Mack. “He would share stories just interacting with them and everything and the little events that they had.”
He loved to play pranks and enjoyed dressing up as Michael Myers for Halloween, Mack said.
When she first heard the news about Thomas’ death she felt stunned. He had just left their house, she said. Riding his motorcycle was something he did in his spare time.
Mack and Thomas met 13 years ago through a mutual friend while Thomas attended the University of North Carolina Pembroke. They were friends at first but then dated for more than 10 years. Their anniversary is Valentine’s Day and her first impression of him was that he was a “big goofball.”
Thomas and Mack had a “Martin and Gina” type of relationship, a television couple from the ‘90s sitcom “Martin” known for always laughing together, she said.
Her favorite memories of Thomas were watching him be a dad to their three kids who are 13, 8 and 2, she said.
They would play basketball together and loved going outside and to the pool.
Mack said the thing she hopes her kids most remember about their dad is “he always wanted them to be the best that they can be and do what’s right.”
Thomas was a family man, and his niece, Kay Littlejohn, said he would always check in on her.
“There were always encouraging words from him and just a motivation to keep going in hard times,” Littlejohn said. “He cared so much for his children and family and always had the contagious smile present and provided laughter that just brightens any day.”
In college, Thomas played basketball in 52 games for the Braves from 2006-2010. Associate Athletics Director Todd Anderson remembered Thomas fondly and said his death hit the department and alumni especially hard.
“I was crushed,” Anderson said. “I mean the kid was, he was such a good kid and for me to remember somebody like I remembered him, it got to me a little bit more.”
He said he was a wonderful person who was personable and a strong leader.
“He’ll be sorely missed by everybody that had the chance to know him,” Anderson said.
Thomas’ leadership on the basketball team helped to improve UNCP’s basketball program to where it is today, Anderson said.
His teammates always knew they could count on him, and he would return to the school for alumni events because he was proud of the program he helped build, Anderson said.
Funeral arrangements
On Friday there will be a candlelight vigil to remember Thomas, held at Romare Bearden Park at 7 p.m.
Mack said those who knew Thomas are welcomed to share memories about him.
A public viewing will take place at Costner Funeral Home in Gastonia from 3-8 p.m., Saturday. The funeral is Sunday, 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church, located at 301 E. 1st St. in Cherryville.
This story was originally published September 23, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
