In all, he won a total of eight world medals, three of which were gold at both the 1978 and 1979 world championships. Texas Death Records Search. Thomas also won U.S. all-around titles in 1976, 1977 and 1978 before graduating from Indiana State in 1979. %privacy_policy%. Love to the family.. So he was seen out in public 48hrs after being reported missing, alive and well. Thomas played on a newly formed gymnastics team at his high school and won a scholarship to Indiana State University in Terre Haute. Our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends. Kurt became a commentator, acted in a film, and opened his own gymnastics school, according to Screencrush. Many gymnastics colleagues, rivals, and legends have also honored Thomas and mourned his passing on social media. After competing in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Thomas won the floor exercise in the 1978 world championships in Strasbourg, France, for the first U.S. mens title. Kurt Bilteaux Thomas was born in Miami on March 29, 1956. Sending hugs to his wife Beckie, his children, Hunter, Kassidy and Kurt as well as the entire gymnastics community, who lost a true pioneer today., Kurt Thomas was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend. The anterior and posterior cerebral circulations are interconnected via bilateral posterior communicating arteries, which form part of the Circle of Willis. Children The couple had one child Kurt Travis. You could have been Olympic gold medalist,' Thomas said in 2003. Kurt Thomas, who became the first US athlete to win a gymnastics gold medal at the world championships, died Friday. On the other hand, those with an embolic or hemorrhagic stroke typically have an acute onset of symptoms. Kurt Thomas, shown at the 1979 world championships in Fort Worth, died Friday, according to his family. Kurt Thomas Death - Obituary: Kurt Thomas Wife | Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death Kurt Thomas Death: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and. OlympicTalk is on Apple News. Three days earlier, a 27-year old Kurt Cobain committed suicide b. [9] With professionals allowed to compete by the time of the 1992 Summer Olympics, Thomas attempted a comeback. [8] The feat would later be tied by Simone Biles in 2018. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is a major cause of serious disability in adults. [9], Thomas died on June 5, 2020, at the age of 64. Thomas won the AAUs 1979 James E. Sullivan Award as the nations top amateur and was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003. Kurt Thomas, the first U.S. male to win a world championship gold medal, died on Friday. Im really happy with that swim, McIntosh, who defeated Ledecky by 83 hundredths, said on Peacock. Thomas brought a mixture of athleticism and showmanship the elite U.S. mens program lacked. Kurt Thomas Cause of Death Kurt became a commentator, acted in a film, and opened his own gymnastics school, according to Screencrush. [3] Despite his advanced age for a gymnast, he was able to make it to the 1992 United States Men's Gymnastics Olympic Trials, but his performance there fell short of what was needed to make the team. He made it all the way to the Olympic trials at age 36 but fell short of earning one of the six Olympic spots. The Salto involved a dangerous backward move in a tucked position. An ischemic stroke, which accounts for 87% of strokes, is caused by a blockage of a blood vessel supplying the section of brain supplied by that vessel. His mother, Ellie, was a secretary. Thomass wife, Rebecca, who owned and operated a gymnastics center with her husband in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas, confirmed the death, telling International Gymnast magazine that he had a stroke on May 24. McIntosh won the 200m fly and 400m individual medley, both in world junior record times, and placed second to Ledecky in the 400m free. Amendments to H.Res.175 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of this generation and supporting the recognition of February 2023 as "American Heart Month". Thomas died nearly two weeks after suffering bleeding from his basilar artery, which led to a severe stroke. This move was banned for women after several injured themselves attempting the move, including Elene Mukhina who under-rotated, landed on her chin, and snapped her spine, leaving her a quadriplegic. He became the first American in 46 years to win a gold medal at a World Championships when he captured the floor exercise title in 1978. Thomas won the 1979 Sullivan Award and was selected CBSs Athlete of the Year in 1979. Proud to have been your teammate. Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Cause of Death, Instagram, Net Worth, Who is Reche Caldwell? Or, perhaps he was pushed. Thomas followed up his breakthrough at the 1978 championships by winning five world championship individual medals in 1979, including gold in the floor exercise once more and in the horizontal bar, at Fort Worth. They later met at three more meets in late 2022. He had a stroke May 24, caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. D. The former NFL star wide receiver died of complications related to a seizure disorder, according to an autopsy report from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. Thomas drew attention to his "original and daring . A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. He and Beckie went on to own and operate Kurt Thomas Gymnastics in Frisco, Texas. George Ritter Obituary Death: George Ritter Accident | George RitterCause Of Death, John Mullinax Obituary Death: John MullinaxCause Of Death. Kurt lived his life to the extreme, and I will be forever honored to be his wife, Beckie Thomas told International Gymnast Magazine. [2], Thomas was born in Miami, Florida on March 29, 1956. In 1978, he became the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (world championships). Kurt Thomas (gymnast) Talk Read Edit View history Kurt Bilteaux Thomas (March 29, 1956 - June 5, 2020) was an American Olympic gymnast and part-time actor. Classic dogma stated that the "sine qua non" of PCS was the presence of "crossed deficits." I wanted to be a doctor and then a policeman, and then a pro basketball player or football, he told The New York Times in 1979. All rights reserved. Kurt and Beckie, who wed in 1996, operated the Kurt Thomas Gymnastics Training Center in Frisco, Texas, which has hosted USAG-sanctioned Kurt Thomas International Invitational gymnastics meet annually since 2003. Kurt Thomas Death Obituary: Death Of Kurt Thomas| Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death. He competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal before winning gold at the worlds in 1977. He and Beckie owned and ran Kurt Thomas Gymnastics in Frisco, Texas. [7], Last edited on 1 September 2022, at 14:46, "Kurt Thomas, first U.S. man to win a world gymnastics title, dies at 64", "Kurt Thomas, Trailblazing Champion Gymnast, Dies at 64", "Kurt Thomas Dies: First American To Win Gymnastics Gold And Actor Was 64", ":: USA Gymnastics:: Nissen Emery Award::", "Kurt Thomas - Indiana State Athletics Hall of Fame - GoSycamores.comOfficial Web Site of Indiana State Athletics", "Kurt Thomas, first US man to win world gym title, dies at 64", "Indiana State's Kurt Thomas, gymnast denied 1980 glory, dies", "Simone Biles has two new signature moves that will be named after her following world championships performance", "Gymkata proves that tiny gymnasts make tough heroes", "Former ISU, Olympic athlete Kurt Thomas named to MVC Hall of Fame", List of competitive results at Gymn Forum, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kurt_Thomas_(gymnast)&oldid=1107913678, This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 14:46. Thomas was a star gymnast at Indiana State and his popularity on campus was only rivaled by that of Larry Bird, who was leading the mens basketball team to the NCAA Tournament finals. or redistributed. Thomas, who reportedly appeared on The Johnny Carson Show five times, continues to be referred to often during gymnastics broadcasts, given he invented a popular pommel horse skill the Thomas flair. He was also a three-time (1978-79-80) American Cup Champion. Ledecky has not announced publicly whether she hopes to race the 200m free at the 2024 Paris Olympics. All rights reserved. Kurt Thomas was a former Olympic gymnast known for being the first American male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, according to Yahoo Sports. Market data provided by Factset. He tried a comeback, at 36, when the Olympic ban on professionals had been lifted, but he was unable to get past the United States trials for the 1992 Games. It focuses on Kurt McFall, a 17-year old found dead on a beach in San Francisco Bay, CA. Kurt Thomas Obituary: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. We encourage you all to respect the dead and accord the family heartbroken with the loss of a cherished one, some privacy as you leave a message in the comment session. June 23, 2020, American gymnastic legend Kurt Thomas passed away June 5 at the age of 64. In general, there are two forms of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. My heart is breaking for his wife Beckie, his children, Hunter, Kassidy and Kurt as well as the entire gymnastics community, who lost a true pioneer today.. Kurt Thomass obituary is not public at the time, we will share more as we learn about the obituary and possibly the funeral. But at that U.S. Open, she won her consolation final with a time that would have won the top eight-woman final, after she was ninth in the preliminary heats. Vivien Thomas, 75, a Johns Hopkins University surgical technician who helped develop the famous "blue baby" operation, died Nov. 26 at his home here. Thomas led the ISU men's gymnastics team to the 1977 National Championship. I saw this guy swinging on a high bar, and I just thought it was kind of a neat sport, he said. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. At the time, police said they believed Cobain killed himself with a single shotgun blast to . Cause of death Details of the circumstance surrounding our beloved, Kurt Thomassdeath is not public yet, we will share more as we learn. Oluwaseun et al. Please join us to mourn the passing of Kurt Thomas. Thomas' family told the International Gymnastic Magazine that he died on Friday. Since 2003, their gym has hosted the annual Kurt Thomas International Invitational gymnastics meet, a competition endorsed by USA Gymnastics. In 2003, Kurt was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Conner, who won the gold medal on the parallel bars at the 1979 world championships and at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, wrote on Twitter that Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend.. [1] The coroner ruled, "cause of death, unknown," a determination unacceptable to Tom McFall: "I went to the San Francisco coroner and I said, 'What do you think happened to Kurt?' And he said, 'I think the most probable cause of Kurt's death is homicide'. He also won gold in the horizontal bar and a silver in the all-around, pommel horse and parallel bars it was the most medals won at a single world championship by an American, but was later eclipsed by Simone Biles. Thomas family said he died Friday. I saw this guy swinging on a high bar, and I just thought it was kind of a neat sport.. Watch: Tyler Henry Heads to Kurt Cobain's Memorial on "Hollywood Medium". RIP Kurt. His work in retirement included coaching. [1] In 1979, he won six medals at the world championship, setting the record for most medals won at a single world championship by an American gymnast, a feat matched only by Simone Biles in 2018. Ledecky won the 400m free by eight hundredths over McIntosh to extend a decade-long win streak in freestyle races of 400 meters or longer in U.S. pools. He was 64 and died from complications caused by a basilar stroke last month. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Katie Ledeckys nine-year domestic win streak snapped by Summer McIntosh, Alpine skiing TV, live stream schedule for 2022-23 World Cup season, Summer McIntosh breaks world junior record at Pro Series swim meet, American Jordan Stolz becomes youngest world champion in speed skating history, his 2003 International Gymnastics Hall of Fame induction speech. He was born on March 29, 1956, in Miami, Florida, United States. Kurt lived his life to the extreme, and I will be forever honored to be his wife.. After the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics, he retired from the sport. Gold Medalist Oksana Masters Says It's Been 'Difficult' to Compete in Winter Paralympics amid War in Ukraine, Breakfast of Champions! He suffered a stroke on May 24, brought about by a tear of the basilar artery in his brain stem two weeks before his death. Overall, Ledecky was pleased with her performances Friday night. https://t.co/Mm425oG1Bk, tim daggett (@timdaggettnbc) June 7, 2020. Kurt Thomas Gymnast Height Thomas stood at a height of 5 feet 5 inches. Thomas said he was told there was a delay before the medal ceremony because organizers in Strasbourg, France, did not have the Star-Spangled Banner handy, given the U.S. lack of success in the sport. This period can last from days to weeks. Main branches of the basilar artery include: The posterior circulation supplies blood to the brainstem, midbrain, pons, cerebellum, and the posterior cerebrum. These patients cannot move or talk, but consciousness is evident because of vertical eye movement, which is an oculomotor nerve function. Last year, Stolz became the third-youngest U.S. Olympic male speed skater in history and finished 13th and 14th in his Olympic debut races. Yesterday I lost my universe, my best friend and my soul mate of twenty-four years. Please join us to mourn the passing of Kurt Thomas. champion, winning the parallel bars and all-around in 1977, and parallel bars, horizontal bar and the all-around in 1979. While competing in the 1979 worlds, he won an additional six medals. Love to the family., All of us in the gymnastics family are sadden ,shocked and devastated by the passing of our ownLove to the family RIP Kurt Thomas pic.twitter.com/muhQ8MUJJc. Ledecky had won all of her domestic freestyle long course finals of 200 meters or longer after a January 2014 defeat to 2012 Olympic champion Allison Schmitt. Kurt Thomas was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend. Thomas took part in professional gymnastics shows and worked as a TV commentator at gymnastics events later in the 1980s, when the Olympics were still limited to amateurs. He won by a whopping 36 hundredths of a second over Canadian Laurent Dubreuil, the previous world champion. During that nine-year run, Ledecky did lose freestyle races outside of the U.S. (including at the Olympics and world championships) and in short-course (non-Olympic-sized) pools. At the 1978 world championships in Strasbourg, France, Kurt used his signature skill, a dismount called the Thomas Salto," on the floor exercise to win the first world championship gold medal for the U.S. mens gymnastics program. When [Olympic teammate] Bart [Conner] mentions on TV [commentary], theres the Thomas flair or theres the Thomas on floor, those little things are what make my life now, Thomas said in 2003. Stolzs time was three hundredths shy of the fastest time in history at or around sea level (also set at the Thialf) and two hundredths off his American record, which was set at altitude in Calgary in December. Her 200m free time was the second-fastest of her career among meets for this early in a year. Proud to have been your teammate. Thomas had a stroke May 24, caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. He was a favorite to capture gold at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow but the U.S. boycotted the Games. In my mind and my heart, I knew I was the best at that time, Thomas told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in 1989. Its time for the world to look out for American gymnasts. [3] He was a five-time NCAA champion at ISU,[4] winning the parallel bars and all-around in 1977, and parallel bars, horizontal bar and the all-around in 1979. Required fields are marked *. Kurt Thomas, the U.S.' first world champion in gymnastics and an Olympian, died Friday at age 64 after previously suffering a stroke, his family said. Stolz broke the record of youngest gold medalist that was held by Dutchwoman Femke Kok, who took team sprint gold in 2020 at age 19, according to Speedskatingstats.com. Illustration 115835826 VectorMine - Dreamstime.com. Thomas suffered a stroke on. Already this season, Stolz swept the 500m, 1000m and 1500m at the world junior championships, plus earned bronze medals in the other two individual events (5000m and mass start). Patriots. There is a mortality rate of more than 85% and survivors are often left with significant neurologic deficits. Kurt Thomas, the first U.S. male gymnast to win a gold medal at the world championships, died of complications from a stroke, his family said Friday. overtook Authentic, the favorite, and entered the Kentucky Derby picture with an easy triumph in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Kurt Thomas Gymnast's cause of death a stroke caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. Anyone can read what you share. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 20052022 MedPage Today, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. McIntosh clocked 1 minute, 54.13 seconds, lowering her world junior record of 1:54.79 from last years world championships. Kurt Thomas, the first USA male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, has died aged 64. Basilar artery infarct or occlusion results from the obliteration of blood supply to the posterior circulation or vertebrobasilar system of arteries to the brain. Thomas. Perhaps Kurt died after stumbling over the edge. Also Friday, the U.S. womens team pursuit squad of Brittany Bowe, Mia Kilburg and Giorgia Birkelandwere upgraded from fourth place to bronze minutes after the event. He was known for his original moves, two of which were named for him: "Thomas Flair" on pommel horse, and the "Thomas Salto" on floor exercise. Stolz is also younger than any male Olympic gold medalist in the sport. Therefore, some knowledge of the cerebral circulatory system is important in understanding how perturbations in blood flow to the brain can affect the entire body. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. In 1979, he set the record for the most medals (six) won at a single world competition, a record that stood until Simone Biles matched it in 2018. Kurt Thomas Gymnast Biography Kurt Thomas Gymnast Wiki, Who is Kurt Thomas Wife? He went on to become a sought-after star once he retired from the sport. Kurt Thomas obituary is not public at the time, we will share more as we learn about the obituary and possibly the funeral. The answer is yes in this moment. And that is one of the greatest moments of my life.. [1] Thomas was favored to win a medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics but was unable to compete due to the USA boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games. [8], In 1996, Thomas married Rebecca Jones, a dancer who choreographs gymnastic routines. Symptoms of PCS depend upon the location of the infarct/hemorrhage and can vary greatly. Thomas' family told the International Gymnastic Magazine that he died on Friday. He was an innovator on pommel horse where the Thomas Flair was entered into the Code of Points and the floor exercise, where his Thomas Salto dismount was considered so dangerous it eventually was banned from competition. He won the AAUs 1979 James E. Sullivan Award as the nations top amateur and was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003. A prized possession, a coat of armor, was also found missing. Gao Tingyu of China, last years Olympic champion, took this season off but is expected to return ahead of the 2026 Winter Games, according to Xinhua News Agency in September. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The flair involved, in the midst of what looks like a typical routine, Thomas suddenly flies into a series of whirling midair leg scissors, as if blown around the horse by a giant fan.. Its the largest margin in mens 500m history at worlds if you divide margins in half from championships when the 500m was two races. Kurt Thomas Gymnast had been married to his wife Rebecca Jones since 1996. There were other suspicious circumstances which suggested foul play was possible. Yesterday, I lost my universe, my best friend, and my soulmate of 24 years. [11] However, in gymnastics, new moves are named in the gymnastics rule book after the gymnast who is the first to perform the move in international competition. Opens in a new tab or window, Visit us on YouTube. Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend.". By Associated Press. 3 months after Kurt was found dead an acquaintance of his 13yr old Eugene Kvet was also found dead 2.5 miles from where Kurt was located, Eugene was also in a ravine. The report was obtained by 9NEWS and The Denver Post. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Kurt Thomas, Trailblazing Champion Gymnast, Dies at 64, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/07/sports/kurt-thomas-dead.html, Kurt Thomas in 1979 with the medals he won at the Gymnastics World Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. He is taking a sport and grafting on new elements to make it an art, the New York Times reported in 1979. Blood supply to the brain is normally divided into anterior and posterior segments, relating to the different arteries that supply the brain. Kurt Thomas Obituary: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. Thomas was known for his daring and innovative moves in what came to be called the Thomas Flair on the pommel horse and the Thomas Salto in the floor exercise. USA WOMEN'S HOCKEY STAR CHANGES TUNE ON COLIN KAEPERNICK PROTEST: 'IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE FLAG'. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. McIntosh broke her own world junior record to top Ledecky in the 200m freestyle at a Pro Series swim meet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was also banned for both men and women in 2017. Oxygenated blood leaves the left side of the heart into the aorta. Thomas suffered a stroke in late May and died June 5, the website reported. The beloved singer, who suffered from heroin addiction and mental illness, was discovered by electrician Gary Smith, who had arrived to install a security system. I always joke that in the second half of my career, maybe Ill do it [focus on the 400m IM].. In the book slaughterhouse five by Kurt vonnegut, there are many deaths that contribute to the book's meaning as a whole, it represents how death is something that takes place in everyone's lives. So it arguably does not count as a defeat. Approximately 20%-25% of all acute strokes occur in the posterior circulation. Rebecca Joness age is unknown. May you find comfort knowing that life continues forever in heaven even as the memories shared live forever in our hearts. [15], Thomas was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003. He died on June 5, 2020. [7] He subsequently became the first gymnast to receive the James E. Sullivan Award for the best amateur athlete in the United States. At the 1978 world championships in Strasbourg, France, Thomas became the first American to win a world championship gold medal with his floor exercise routine. Thomas had flu-like symptoms and was so dizzy that he considered withdrawing. Weve arrived.. Several sports leagues think they have figured out a way to safely return to play in the age of COVID-19. He was 64 years old. In the run-up to the 1980 Moscow Games, television was raising Thomass profile. Kurt Thomas Death - Obituary: Kurt Thomas Wife | Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death Kurt Thomas Death: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to. And will be dearly missed by family, friends, and everyone. Kurt Thomas Death: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. Kurt Thomas is seen as a good-hearted individual, loving and selfless. It was a move that involved multiple somersaults and at the end of the sequence, a half-somersault and roll-out. He was 64. Kurt Cobain's death was officially ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the brains with a six-pound Remington 20 gauge shotgun in April 1994. "Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend. After the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games, he retired. He had a . Family members have continued to search for the cause of Kurt's death. He was 64. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? The cause of death was not reported. But the Moscow Games went on without the United States, and what could have been his greatest international triumph was not to be. "I am completely devastated to hear this, said Bart Conner, an Olympic teammate. Part 2 missing from the write up. Sending hugs to his wife Beckie, his children, Hunter, Kassidy and Kurt as well as the entire gymnastics community, who lost a true pioneer today. On April 8th, 1994, Nirvana's front-man Kurt Cobain was found dead in his house in Seattle. The most common causes are atherosclerosis or thromboembolism. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In retirement he worked as a TV analyst and gymnastics coach in his home town of Texas. Thomas stepped away competition after 1980 and starred in the 1985 movie Gymkata and worked as a television commentator. Rebecca Jones Wiki, Age, Family, Net Worth, Children, Emily Roehler Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Height, Salary, Net Worth, Measurements, Married, Instagram, Gilma Avalos Wiki, Age, Bio, Baby, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Instagram, Ricky Jay Wiki, Bio, Age, Wife, Children, Cause of Death, Net Worth, Ethnicity, Books and Filmography. I lost my universe, my best friend and my soulmate of 24 years, his wife, Beckie, said, according to International Gymnast. Kurt was amazing and the hero and idol to so many. American gymnastic legend Kurt Thomas passed away June 5 at the age of 64. Thomas also had a child, singer Kurt Travis, from a previous marriage. Thomas seemed to enjoy the break from Olympic training and told the Chicago Tribune, Im running around like crazy, and it just started, he says with a small grin.. He had a stroke May 24. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend. Kurt Thomas Death - Obituary: Death Of Kurt Thomas | Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death Kurt Thomas Death: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and. Prior to his death, Thomas suffered a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem, which caused. The first (and largest) is the brachiocephalic trunk, the second, the left carotid artery, and the third, the left subclavian artery. Kurt lived his life to the extreme, and I will be forever honoured to be his wife, his wife Beckie Thomas told International Gymnast Magazine. Kurt Thomas, Trailblazing Champion Gymnast, Dies at 64 The first American to win a world championship in men's gymnastics, he captured many medals but missed out on his best chance to take.