[2] He grew up in Dothan, Alabama, but also spent time as a child in Atlanta, Georgia, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for his father's work as a nuclear engineer.
[5] In 1992, Thomas left Alabama and relocated to San Francisco, California, in order to pursue a career in professional skateboarding.
[5] After relocating to Southern California in 1994, Thomas was featured on the cover of TransWorld SKATEboarding magazine and filmed video parts for Spitfire and Invisible.
[5] Thomas is sponsored by Zero skateboards, STRAYE footwear, Thunder trucks, Spitfire wheels, Bones Swiss, Mob Grip, olloclip, Active Ride Shop, and Official headwear.
[17] Garage Days Collection sued the collector, Florida resident and attorney Matthew R. Wendler, in the San Diego County Superior Court a month later, on May 24, 2019.
[20] Thomas has explained that his nickname, "The Chief", was started by professional skateboarders Elissa Steamer, Erik Ellington and Jim Greco.
[1] In January 2000, Thomas appeared with Ed Templeton in a print ad for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to promote vegetarianism.
[21] Blur guitarist, Graham Coxon wrote an eponymous song in tribute to Thomas, which can be found on his solo album, "The Golden D".