Born September 30, 1946 in Fort Payne — He attended Fort Payne High School where he played football, basketball, baseball and was on The track team. In his senior year he received Honorable Mention All State Football, MVPin the Northeast Alabama Football Conference, won the Long Jump at NEAC track meet, and finished 5th in the long jump at the state track meet. Thomas attended Auburn University in 1964 -1967 where he lettered two years in football, graduating in 1967 with a BA.
