Adam Layman Thomas

Adam Layman Thomas died attempting to save a woman from drowning, Louisville, Kentucky, January 13, 2022. From a bicycle trail along a city road, a 36-year-old woman climbed over a railing and entered the swollen, swift-flowing Ohio River. As the woman swam in the 41-degree water away from the near bank, multiple bystanders congregated on the trail. Thomas, 34, business owner, who stopped his vehicle on the road, went to confer with them. Removing his outer clothing, Thomas also climbed over the railing and entered the river. As he swam toward the woman, she continued moving downstream. Shortly, Thomas struggled and ultimately submerged. The woman, who reached the vicinity of an island before witnesses lost sight of her, has yet to be located and is presumed dead. Nearly three months later, authorities recovered Thomas from the river about 100 miles from the scene. He had drowned.

Obituary

Adam Layman Thomas, age 34, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, lost his life on Thursday, January 13, 2022, when he tried to rescue a woman in the Ohio River. He died a hero while trying to save another woman’s life from drowning. His actions were a true act of heroism and courage to place himself in harm’s way to help another and ultimately, sacrificed his life in doing so.

Friends and family said, “Adam’s smile was infectious. His heart was huge, and his outlook to help others was bigger.” People often said, “He had the biggest heart.”

His generosity ran deep, and he was not scared of anything. People might think this heroic act was a random act of kindness, however, that is just what Adam did throughout life and who he was as a person.

His daughter, Ayla, was his entire world. She has a Daddy she will always look up to in life. He can rest easy knowing his family will make sure she will be very well taken care of while she grows up.

Adam owned an excavation business. He was a highly skilled heavy equipment operator and helped create many of the beautiful landscapes throughout the Louisville area. He loved the outdoors, especially taking his daughter to the Big Four Walking Bridge.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Ayla Thomas, loving mother, Elizabeth “Betsy” Thomas, father, Ricky Thomas, brothers, Andrew and Griffin Thomas (Natalie), beautiful nieces, Harper and Millie Thomas, nephew, Wyatt Thomas (Godson), grandparents, Gene and Betty Layman, grandmother, Marge Thomas, and many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 10:00 am at St. Edward Catholic Church and burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery. A celebration of Adam’s life will begin at 1:00 pm at Wildwood Country Club. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, Adam’s mother, Elizabeth “Betsy” Thomas, and brothers, Andrew and Griffin Thomas, are raising funds for Adam’s daughter, Ayla Thomas. Please consider a donation to this GoFundMe at http://gofundme.com/f/ayla-thomas for all of Ayla’s future needs, while a trust fund is being set up in her name.