 After graduating from Patterson High School in 1961, he attended the University of Georgia in Athens and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966.After college, Thomas served in the Georgia National Guard from 1966 until 1972, and he also worked as an investment banker.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.