John "Jack" Thomas photograph collection, 1948

Warren John "Jack" Thomas was born December 20, 1882, in Salt Lake City. His parents, David Palmer and Margaret Davies Thomas emigrated from Wales, England to the United States in 1878. Thomas married Susan Alice Hathenbruck in 1905, their marriage being later solemnized in the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple had four children: Armand John, Kenneth Jerome, Warren Earl, and Dorothy Alice. Susan Alice Thomas died October 28, 1915, two days after the birth of their fourth child in Pocatello, Idaho. The family returned to Salt Lake City where Thomas met Laura Emmabelle Stevens, a nurse at the LDS Hospital. Jack and Laura were married in the Salt Lake temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. January 17, 1920, and had two sons: Gwyn Stevens and Robert David. Laura Thomas died of cancer May 24, 1928. On October 16, 1929, Thomas married Emma Elizabeth Lindsey in the Salt Lake temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jack Thomas began a long career with the railroads in 1900 when he went to work in the baggage department of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. He was an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad for fifty-two years, retiring as General Passenger Agent, Western Division, in 1952.

Thomas sang with a number of musical groups in Salt Lake City including the Emma Lucy Gates Salt Lake Opera Company, the Salt Lake Oratorio Society, and the Orpheus Club, a male chorus established in 1892. In 1916, he became a member of the Tabernacle Choir and was appointed tour manager. As tour manager, Jack Thomas was the instigator of the Choir's first tour to Europe in 1955. For many years he raised funds to bring guest conductors and soloists to the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the annual rendition of "The Messiah," and to bring world famous artists to give concerts in the Tabernacle.

Throughout his life, Thomas was active in community organizations and civic affairs. He was a member of the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club from 1935 to 1972, serving as president of the organization in 1942. In addition, he was chairman of the Music Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, director of the Family Service Society, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alta Club, Travelers' Aid Society, and Boy Scouts of America. Jack Thomas died in Salt Lake City August 29, 1973.