Stacy L. Thomas
“The Rock”

Stacy L. Thomas, also known as “The Rock”, was born on March 25, 1959, in the very small town of Atwood, Indiana.  The youngest of three children, Stacy was a good-humored child and never failed to make those around him laugh.    As a young boy, he enjoyed any outdoor activity and would remain outdoors until forced inside by his parents or one of his older siblings long after it had fallen dark.   He also loved sports and would spend hours at a time playing baseball in the field or basketball on the school playground.  Although he didn’t grow up with all of the material luxuries that life provides to some, Stacy grew up with something much more important – the love of life itself.   As he reached his high school years, Stacy achieved high marks in school and excelled in school sports while working part time as well. It appeared that there was nothing that Stacy could not, or would not attempt, and more times than not, he found success. 

Through Stacy’s sheer determination to succeed and his lifetime motto “Never Give Up,” his life was a life of no regrets. After graduating high school, Stacy moved to Ohio and became an elite salesman.  His peers always seemed just a step behind him as he was constantly finding ways to improve himself.  He was an avid learner who taught himself many different subjects and became literate in each one. His success brought him the material luxuries that his family could not afford as he was growing up.  Yet despite his financial success, Stacy never forgot what was truly important in life.  He was a devoted husband and father, and family was always his first priority. He provided well for his family, and most importantly, lavished them with love and laughter every day. 

Stacy was the type of person that you loved the minute you met him.  He loved life and was fun to be around, and his attitude was contagious.  He would do anything for anyone, and it didn’t matter if he knew you for ten minutes or ten years.  He was a selfless, giving individual, and he had a way of making his family and friends feel good about themselves.

Although raised in a quiet, rural setting, Stacy grew to be wise beyond his years.  He taught those close to him the importance of balance in life.  He believed that we must balance work life with home life so that one does not overshadow the other.  He taught the importance of honesty, commitment and determination.  In his mind, nothing was impossible if you set your mind to it.  His love of nature kept him outdoors much of the time where he taught his family to appreciate God’s gifts as well. He was “The Rock” to so many – strong, loyal and dependable through good times and bad.  There was nothing so bad that Stacy wouldn’t say, “This too shall pass” and mean it.   

The million-dollar question is “How could such a terrible fate befall such a good person?”  It is perfectly human to ask such a question when diagnosed with a brain tumor, yet Stacy never did.  He believed that this experience had much to teach him about life, about humility, and about God Himself.  He willingly surrendered his life to God and quickly came to peace with his diagnosis.  Although Stacy was fighting the battle of his life, he was also the one giving strength and courage to those around him.  Up until the very end of his life on this earth, Stacy continued thinking of his loved ones before giving a thought to himself by comforting them in their sorrow and reaching out to them with patience, understanding and encouragement.

What an amazing man!

It was Stacy’s unending bravery and unwavering faith that most inspired his family and friends during his journey with brain cancer.  His selflessness and devotion, both to his family and to God, continue to inspire us today.  His life, although only 44 short years, was filled with love, laughter and a wisdom rarely seen in someone so young.  Although Stacy is no longer with us in the physical sense, his legacy lives on, as those closest to him strive to live the ideals that he taught.  We have learned just how precious life is and how important it is to share time with family and friends.  We no longer think of ourselves first but try to do as Stacy would do, putting others’ needs ahead of our own. 

Stacy is gone only from our sight, but never from our hearts.  Our goal with Send Love Today is to carry on the love and selflessness that Stacy lived every day.  We hope to bring some joy to those enduring the same difficult journey that Stacy traveled, and if we are successful, then we have our inspiration, Stacy L. Thomas, to thank for it.