Thomas graduated from Purcell High School and Xavier University. He also served his country for two years in the United States Army. A lifelong Cincinnati resident, Tom was a manufacturer's representative, selling small appliances to major retail and wholesale outlets in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In 1982, he owned and managed a small business engraving printing cylinders for printing decorative textures (wood grains, marble, granite, etc.). After fifteen years, he retired in 1997.