Thomas, James P. (James Peringer), 1932-

James P. Thomas, Sr. (1878-1948) was born in McKinney, Texas, to James Waller and Mary Smith Thomas. James Waller Thomas was the owner and editor of the McKinney Messenger, the first newspaper in the city. In 1898, the Spanish American War began, and at age 19, Thomas enlisted in the 2nd Texas Infantry Regiment, part of the 7th Army Corps, Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Florida. The 7th Army Corps was scheduled to invade and liberate Puerto Rico under the command of General Fitzhugh Lee, the nephew of Robert E. Lee, but the Spanish surrender ended the Corps’ mission.

Eager to serve his country during World War I, when Thomas was in his late 30s he volunteered for Officer’s Candidate School, but was discharged because the war ended before his class graduated. Likewise, during World War II, knowing he was too old for battle, he became a full time volunteer for the Office of Price Administration.

Thomas married Merle Pitts in 1926 and they lived in the Thomas family home in McKinney. He worked as a clerk and senior in charge of outgoing mail in the McKinney Post Office from 1902 until his retirement in 1939. Furthermore, from 1935 until his death in 1948, Thomas volunteered at Veterans Administration Hospitals assisting other veterans in securing medical treatment by filling out government forms and corresponding with United States Senators from Texas.

From the guide to the Thomas, James P. Sr. Papers 2004-036., 1898, 1928, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)