THOMASVILLE — It was a “Thriller” career, one that ended too soon for Michael Jackson and his fans, including some local residents who shared their memories of the late “King of Pop.”

The singer died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. An autopsy was to be performed Friday, but many are attributing his death to cardiac arrest.

“I was shocked,” fan Glynda Tonkin, who heard the news on television Thursday evening, said. “To me, he was awesome. I feel sure he would have come up with new songs. I think all of his fans and the music world is suffering a big loss.”

C. Michial Mayhall, band director for Thomas County Central High School, said Jackson’s death is unfortunate.

“He was only 50, but with the stress in his life from all the gossip and the significant financial losses, I’m not surprised. I am saddened; I really enjoyed his music.”

On iTunes, the popular multi-media download program, six of the Top 10 songs and nine of the Top 10 albums were Jackson’s on Friday afternoon. These included songs like “Man in the Mirror” and albums such as “Thriller.”

Fan Gwen Williams said listening to Jackson’s songs Thursday night made it hard to deal with the news.

“‘Do You Remember?’, ‘Smooth Criminal’ and ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ were my favorites,” she said. “Songs like ‘Beat It,’ ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’ will forever hold their worth.”

Roosevelt Andrews, 54, remembers Jackson as a youth performer with his family’s group, The Jackson 5.

“He was a self-made star,” Andrews said. “He got all different kinds of music. I think ‘I Want You Back’ is my favorite. I used to do the moonwalk, but I doubt I could now.”

Tonkin, 53, thought it was amazing that a young person like herself had a voice like Jackson’s and, as he got older, his dancing and singing only got better.

“He had some killer moves. Any time you think about the moonwalk you associate it with him.”

Her favorite Jackson song is “Thriller.”

“I like the beat and the video was awesome,” she said. “I liked all the moves on it and, when I think about him, that song sticks out more than the others. I did do the moves ... or honestly tried. I had the glove and the socks.”

Williams, 38, still cannot watch the “Thriller” video because it is “too creepy.” She grew up with older brothers who were all fans of Jackson’s music and moves.