US Senator. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Wyoming in 1955 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was discharged as a Captain in 1959 and embarked on a career in business and agriculture. Thomas was Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau from 1966 to 1975 and Natural Resource Director for the American Farm Bureau from 1971 to 1975. In 1975 he became General Manager of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association, a position he held until 1989. Thomas served in the Wyoming House from 1984 to 1989. In 1989 he won a special election as a Republican to fill Wyoming's only US House seat, which had become vacant when Dick Cheney resigned to become Secretary of Defense. Thomas was elected to two full terms and served from April 1989 to January 1995. In 1994 he was a successful candidate for the US Senate, and was reelected in 2000 and 2006, serving from January 1995 until his death. Thomas had been treated for acute myeloid leukemia beginning soon after his 2006 reelection.

US Senator. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Wyoming in 1955 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was discharged as a Captain in 1959 and embarked on a career in business and agriculture. Thomas was Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau from 1966 to 1975 and Natural Resource Director for the American Farm Bureau from 1971 to 1975. In 1975 he became General Manager of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association, a position he held until 1989. Thomas served in the Wyoming House from 1984 to 1989. In 1989 he won a special election as a Republican to fill Wyoming's only US House seat, which had become vacant when Dick Cheney resigned to become Secretary of Defense. Thomas was elected to two full terms and served from April 1989 to January 1995. In 1994 he was a successful candidate for the US Senate, and was reelected in 2000 and 2006, serving from January 1995 until his death. Thomas had been treated for acute myeloid leukemia beginning soon after his 2006 reelection.

Bio by: Bill McKern