Mr. Thomas served in the military for more than 26 years before devoting nearly 25 years of his civilian career teaching special education to children with severe and profound disabilities.
KERRVILLE, TX, September 24, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Major James Patrick Thomas, USAF (Ret.), with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Major Thomas celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Now retired, Mr. Thomas served in the military for more than 26 years before devoting nearly 25 years of his civilian career teaching special education to children with severe and profound disabilities. During his tenure in education, he flourished at various middle and high schools, including Boonsboro Middle School in Maryland, Johnston Middle and High Schools in Iowa and various schools in Las Vegas, Nevada, before concluding his career in the classroom at C. J. Lawrence Middle School in 2017. Additionally, Mr. Thomas briefly taught as an adjunct faculty member at Catonsville Community College in Catonsville, Maryland.
In the years that followed, Mr. Thomas found great reward as a travel writer. Visiting 115 countries on all seven continents, he has contributed to many articles that have been published online. He also penned an article about the Terracotta Warriors. Mr. Thomas previously authored the 1994 pamphlet "Your Rights to Legal Advice" and "The Outcome of a Services Evaluation for Families of Vietnam Veterans with Children with Disabilities in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area" in 1995.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1964, Mr. Thomas notably served for nearly 10 years before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1973. Advancing to the rank of major in 1985, he held various roles throughout North Dakota, Maryland, and Washington in addition to in Greece, Germany, and Panama.
Volunteering extensively, Mr. Thomas has worked with the Henderson Police Department in Henderson, Nevada and the Kerrville Police Department in Kerrville, Texas. He served as the senior vice commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for the State of Nevada and as a missionary to the Dominican Republic through his parish, Trinity Baptist Church, in Kerrville, Texas. He has also found success as the president of the Catholic Men of the Parish in Athens, Greece; and a deacon for Green Valley Presbyterian Church in Henderson. Mr. Thomas remains active as a member of several civic organizations such as the Phoenix Society.
Mr. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science at Drake University in 1973, a Master of Science in public administration at Troy State University in 1983, and a Master of Science in special education at The Johns Hopkins University in 1994. He also earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from The Johns Hopkins University.
Mr. Thomas is a lifetime member of the Retired Officers Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, The Air Force Association, and the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inco Additionally, he served as the first president of the Swift Boat Sailors Association, Inc. For his exceptional military service, he was decorated with a Purple Heart, a Defense Meritorious service Medal with O. L. C., a Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal, an Air Force Achievement Medal, an Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, a U.S. Navy Combat Action Ribbon, the RVN Gallantry Cross, and many other awards and badges.
Mr. Thomas is married to Alexa Ann Thomas. He also has one son, Dr. Nicholas J. Thomas, PhD, from a previous marriage.
A celebrated Marquis listee, Mr. Thomas has been cited in 25 editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in the Midwest and Who's Who in the World.
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