Gus Thomas, Jr. was born in Anniston, Alabama on August 16, 1935. He was the fifth child of twelve children. He attended the Anniston City School System.

Gus gave his life to Christ at the age of fifteen. This was the greatest event of his life. He was locally ordained by the late Elder and Pastor, J.D. Goodbread, Sr. and ordained by the founder of the F.B.H. Church of the God of the Americas,

In 1954, he married the love of his life (on her birthday) on December 8, 1954. They devoted their lives to God and to each other for over sixty-one years; Helen Jean Bailey Thomas to Gus "Doll Heart". They moved to Southern California and after being there for six months, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was discharged in 1962. In 1964, he was employed with the City of Los Angeles Water Department , and in 1972 he entered Los Angeles Harbor College. He graduated in 1974 with a 4.0 GPA. In 1985 he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

On June 16, 2023, he answered the Master's call. Cherishing his memory are: his siblings, Cleveland (Bessie) Thomas, Betty Rogers, James Thomas, John (Jackie) Thomas; two brothers-in-law, Rev. John Hilliard and Rev. Henry Ward, Jr. ; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.