[3] While earning his degree Thomas worked as a social services caseworker.

His orders had placed him in Norfolk, Virginia, where he worked as a prison counselor for the naval base.

[5][3] His first collection of poetry, The Lighthouse Keeper, was published in January 2001 through Timberline Press.

That same year he published Amazing Grace through the Texas Review Press.

The collection won several prizes, which included the 2003 Western Heritage Wrangler Award.