Mr. Fred Thomas: A True Blessing and Community Hero
Former and current students paid tribute to Fred Thomas, who has worked in Spartanburg District 4 schools since 1974 and is a familiar face on the Woodruff High custodial team.
The Woodruff Times profiled Fred Thomas in July 2025 after former and current students filled social media with tributes calling him a "true blessing" and a "Community Hero."
According to the paper, Mr. Fred joined Spartanburg School District Four in 1974 on the cafeteria custodial team at Woodruff Primary School, later moved to the maintenance department, and then joined the custodial team at Woodruff High School, where he was still serving. In his 70s at the time, he told the paper he planned to work a few more years and was looking forward to seeing the new high school finished. "It's all about the kids," he said.
Alumni remembered him handing out gum, learning student schedules, bringing hot lemonade on winter mornings and, every December 1 through 15, wearing jingle bells on his shoes and singing Christmas songs in the halls. His supervisor described him as dependable and proud of his work, and his wife said he tries to attend as many student games as he can.
A lifelong Woodruff resident, Mr. Fred and his wife, Josephine, had recently marked 45 years of marriage. He is a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, where he serves as an usher and helps with the kitchen ministry. The paper invited readers to share memories with #ThankYouMrFred. The full story is at The Woodruff Times.