Background
Thomas, James Samuel was born on April 8, 1919 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. Son of James and Dessie Veronica (Mark) Thomas.
Thomas, James Samuel was born on April 8, 1919 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. Son of James and Dessie Veronica (Mark) Thomas.
AB, Clafin College, Orangeburg, 1939. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Clafin College, Orangeburg, 1953. Bachelor's Degree, Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, 1943.
Master of Arts, Drew University, 1944. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Drew University, 1986. Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell University, 1953.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Bethune Cookman College, 1963. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Simpson College, 1965. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Morningside College, 1966.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Iowa Wesleyan College. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Coe College, 1968. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Westmar College, 1970.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1980. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Cornell College, 1965. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Ohio Weslyan University, 1967.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), DePauw University, 1969. HHD (honorary), St. Ambrose College, 1970. STD (honorary), Parsons College, 1972.
STD (honorary), Baldwin-Wallace College, 1977. DH (honorary), Rust College, 1975. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Allegheny College, 1979.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Wofford College, 1972. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Ohio Northern University, 1983. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Asbury Theological Seminary, 1983.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Emory University, 1985. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Mount Union College, 1979. Doctor of Humane Letters, Drew University, 1986.
Ordained to ministry, Methodist Church, 1944;
pastor, Orangeburg Circuit, 1942-1943;
pastor, Orangeburg Circuit, York, South Carolina., 1946-1948;
chaplain, South Carolina. State College, 1944-1946;
professor, Gammon Theological Seminary, 1948-1953;
associate secretary, Methodist Board Education, 1953-1964;
bishop Iowa area, Methodist Church, 1964-1976;
bishop Ohio East area, United Methodist Church, 1976-1989. President General Council on Ministries.
Director Equitable of Iowa. Visiting professor Perkins School Theology, Southern Methodist U., summer 1958, Duke U. Division School, fall 1978.
Trustee Baldwin-Wallace College, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Mount Union College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein College, Copeland Oaks, Elyria Home, Berea Children's Home, St. Luke's Hospital.
Married Ruth Naomi Wilson, July 7, 1945. Children: Claudia Thomas Williamson, Gloria Jean Thomas Randle, Margaret Yvonne Thomas Glaze, Patricia Elaine.