Little Rock 9 member Jefferson Thomas dies in Ohio
 | FILE - Jefferson Thomas in 1957, one of nine African American who integrated Little Rock Central High School while federal troops patrolled the campus, is seen in an 1957 file photo. Jefferson Thomas died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio, said fellow Little Rock Nine member Minnijean Trickey Brown. He was 68. (AP Photo, File) |
By Tom ParsonsAssociated Press Writer / September 6, 2010
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Jefferson Thomas was fast and athletic and often played pickup basketball with white students while growing up in Little Rock in the 1950s.
But when Thomas became one of nine black students to integrate Arkansas' largest high school, many of his basketball buddies weren't happy to see him in their classes.
"One of them said, 'Well I don't mind playing basketball or football with you or anything. You guys are good at sports.
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