He attended Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville for one year and graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966.

After college, Thomas served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966 until 1972 and was in the 165th Tactical Airlift Group.

[1] The political career of Thomas consisted of five consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning with the 98th United States Congress and ending in 1992 when he chose not to seek reelection.

[1] Following his congressional service, Thomas served as the director of state governmental affairs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

In 2002, he was appointed Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for AGL Resources in Atlanta.