James Gorman Thomas was born on September 20, 1920 to the late Joseph Ignatius and Mary Ira Smith Thomas. He was the sixth of eight children: McDowell Thomas, Evelyn Clark, Virgie Somerville, Ogden Thomas, Geraldine Chase, Hazel Biscoe and Clara Thomas.  Mr. Thomas attended Jarboesville School in Hermansville, Maryland and worked with his father sharecropping. In 1944, he was drafted into military service where he honorably served in the U.S. Navy during World War II until 1945. In 1951, he then moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Armstrong Vocational Barber School. In that same year, he began employment with Washington Terminal Company (known today as Amtrak) where he remained until his retirement in 1983. He returned to continued farming with his father.

Gorman enjoyed many hobbies including traveling, fishing, and attending and watching baseball games- specifically his favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles. He enjoyed dressing up and was known as a sharp dresser. 

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James Gorman Thomas was interviewed at his home in Lexington Park on August 17, 2011 by Alma Jordon and Merideth Taylor, for the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions Oral History Project.

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