Evan Christopher Thomas may be gone, but he's certainly not forgotten.
On Wednesday -- exactly one year from his death -- a group of family and friends will gather at the Siloam Springs Kayak Park to remember and celebrate Thomas' life.
The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the public is invited.
Thomas died June 17, 2014, after disappearing below the surface of the Illinois River while swimming at the water park with family and friends. The 16-year-old's body was later recovered about 200 yards downstream by the Siloam Springs Fire Department swift water rescue team with assistance from the Centerton and Highfill Fire Departments. His death was ruled an accidental drowning by the Benton County coroner.
Wednesday's event will be a celebration of Thomas' life, according to his mother Tracy Billingsley. There will also be an announcement about the start of the Evan Thomas Foundation, she said,
The foundation will help sponsor the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship at Siloam Springs High School, which was set up this past year and given to 2015 seniors Kaylee O'Hare and Kaylie Lane.
The foundation will also offer scholarships for Red Cross lifeguard certification, swimming lessons and scholarships for the SSHS swim team and Siloam Springs Flyers and AquaHawgs swim clubs, both of which Thomas was a member. The Flyers' season used the theme "Flying for Evan" and hosted "The Evan Thomas Invitational" - their first meet of the 2015 season. The family provided a scholarship in his name for a young swimmer.
The foundation also plans to partner with different established foundations and organizations such as USA Swimming and the Michael Phelps Foundation to provide services and increased awareness of water safety and swimming, Billingsley said.
In addition to Thomas' love for swimming, he was a drummer in the Siloam Springs High School drumline and played in the youth group worship band at First Baptist Church of Siloam Springs. He enjoyed guitar, piano and was often entertaining friends with his sense of humor and card tricks.
Sports on 06/14/2015