Family members of a St. Charles Preparatory School freshman mourn the teen's unexpected death, and hope to learn what caused it.
Thomas Knox's mother Lisa Knox said she had tucked the 14-year-old into bed on December 12. She kissed his cheek and turned off the light. The next morning she went to his room to wake him, and found him not breathing.
The grief-stricken family and friends of Knox cling memories of him. They described his exuberance in his last conversation with them, as Knox talked about his standout final hockey game.
Knox had scored two goals and completed his own personal best game of the season. His family members and coach said he did not see any aggressive plays or unusual contact during the game. Knox was a forward on the junior varsity team. St. Charles Varsity Coach Rob Sangster said Knox was well-respected among those at St. Charles.
"He was a great kid and very well-liked. A couple of the guys on the team had taken him under their wing," said Sangster. "He had a lot of respect on this team."
Teens on the team took a moment before practice Tuesday night to remember Knox.
"Even just having a short time with him was a blessing in my life," said St. Charles senior and hockey player Riley Rentz. "I'm not taking it well. Being a senior it's hard because I have to make sure the other guys are going through it well. It's very difficult for everyone, but mostly the freshman."
Most of the St. Charles team referred to Knox as a 'little brother'. They said he had a playful personality that magnetized the team toward him.
"He was just like my little brother," said St. Charles hockey player Connor Kannally. "I saw him every day. He always had a smile on his face. It made my day better."
"He and I had an older brother-younger brother relationship," said Rentz. "He and I would always wrestle around and I remember the one last fight we had, I let him win. He put me in a headlock, and was throwing me around. The smile on his face was amazing and I'll cherish it for the rest of my life."
"He was like my little brother," said St. Charles hockey teammate Alex Brennan. "I Met him in the summer, and at the beginning of the summer he was 'just some freshman' and now, he's one of my best friends."
Knox's mother described her son as a boy who cared about everyone, and had a passion for hockey. Knox's desire to play was not lost on the team coach.
"He was the hardest working boy that this organization, bar-none," said Sangster. "Making the hockey team was really important and he was determined to do all that he could to make it. It stood out about him in my eyes. He was a hard-working kid."
Hockey teammate Aaron Roe recalled the moment all of Knox's commitment and practice paid off. "I was with him when they released the rosters and he found out he made the team," said Roe. "He was so excited."
Knox's last game was part of a tournament that commemorated a hockey player who had died in an auto accident. Adam Allgeyer was killed in 2001.
"It changes how you look at everything," said Sangster. "Winning and losing takes on a whole different look. It just doesn't seem as important. What's really important is how you treat each other and appreciate each other.
"He'll never be forgotten. He's going to be in our prayers before every game," said Sangster. "We say a prayer before games and he'll always be in that prayer before we play."
Thomas' brother, Justin Wendel, sent 10TV the following statement about his brother:
My brother was such an incredibly nice young man with the biggest heart of anyone I had known. And this is not something I say now, but have said for many years. Here are some words about him that you are free to use. I don’t have any pictures from the game but I have attached his hockey photo from this season.
As the older brother he looked up, and on behalf of Thomas’ loving parents, we are truly grateful that the media wants to share the story of a young man who touched so many lives through his kind heart.
Thomas James Knox was granted his angel wings on December 13, 2015. Thomas was 14 years old and passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep.
His gentle smile and heart of gold would melt the hearts of those around him. His quick wit easily had others laughing. With Thomas’ passing we remind others that his life is one to be cherished. Although we will miss him every day, he will forever remain in our hearts. Every day interactions with him showed the wisdom he had for such a young age.
Thomas was a freshman at St. Charles Preparatory School in Bexley. As a passionate hockey player he was a member of the St Charles High School hockey team and previously played on CCYHA and CAHA teams. Thomas enjoyed golfing, skiing, playing a special trampoline-ball game with his dad in the backyard, playing hide and seek with his dog Kippy and ensuring everyone gave his dog Jeter equal attention. Thomas looked forward every evening for his mom to get home so he could share memories from the day. He was so excited to share stories about friends he had made at St. Charles and discussing his school work. Thomas loved the Ohio State Buckeyes and attending Blue Jacket games with his dad.
Thomas was born on January 25, 2001, to the parents of James and Lisa Knox of Westerville, Ohio. He is survived by his parents; brother Justin Wendel; and sisters Jenny Knox and Jamie (Knox) Clark. Thomas’ extended family members and two dogs will miss him tremendously.