Thomas was born in Pigeon Creek (Greenville), Alabama, the eldest child of Thomas and Ina Pearl (Nix) Hamilton. To their union also was born Donald Hamilton and Zenobia (Hamilton) Williams (deceased).

The family relocated to Niagara Falls, NY, in 1945 where Thomas graduated from Trott Vocational High School as a Machinist (first class) in June 1951.

Thomas married his junior high school sweetheart, Eva Nell Davis, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1951. Their union was blessed with three children, Jocelyn Mona (Hamilton) Cotton (Timothy), Michael Thomas Hamilton and Montrese Tamar Hamilton.

Thomas and Eva celebrated 68 wedding anniversaries until her passing on December 3, 2020.

Thomas joined the United States Air Force in July 1951 and served as an Air Policeman in combat during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in July 1955 having earned the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Blessed with boundless energy for hard work, Thomas started his career with Carborundum in 1955 before joining National Fuel Gas Company in 1971 where he held a variety of jobs until retiring in 1994.

Thomas enjoyed taking long road trips around the United States. He was generous with his time, resources, and talents and very much enjoyed applying his mechanical skill and knowledge to home improvement projects and restoring classic automobiles. He loved his community and often cleaned up neighborhood parks in his spare time.

In addition to his children, and brother, Donald Hamilton (Jane), he leaves to cherish his memory precious granddaughter, Michele Patrice Hamilton; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and caregivers.

Thomas loved The Lord; one of his favorite Bible verses was "With God all things are possible" in Matthew 19:23-26.

In lieu of flowers, Thomas' family encourages you to make a donation to your favorite charity in his memory.