Johnny C. Thomas was born June 2, 1942 in Lake Charles, Louisiana and gained educational experiences in the public school system of Lake Charles, graduating from W. O.  Boston High School in the top 5 percent of the 1960 graduating class. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Grambling College (now Grambling State University) in August 1964, and a Master's Degree in Education from McNeese State University in December 1971. He also completed 30 hour above the Master's Degree at McNeese State University in 1980. Johnny had on file with the Beauregard Parish School Board Office, DeRidder, and Louisiana a valid Type A Teachers Certificate (valid for life for continuous service) from the Louisiana State Department of Education with certification in Mathematics, Biology, General Science, Principal, Supervisor of Student Teaching, and City or Parish Supervisor.

During the 1964-65 school session, he was employed by the Calcasieu Parish School Board at Washington High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. From August 1965 to August 1967, he served in the United States Army. Upon leaving the Army in August 1967, he was employed by the Beauregard Parish School Board at the former G. W. Carver High School in DeRidder, Louisiana. In 1969, he became one of the first of three black teachers to be assigned to a teaching position in a predominately white school in DeRidder (DeRidder High School).

In October 1983, Johnny became Assistant Principal in charge of Discipline, Attendance, Extra and Co-curricular Activities, and varied other duties assigned by the principal. Several years later, he became Assistant Principal in charge of Curriculum, Attendance, and Scheduling Activities and Events, remaining in that position until his retirement on June 15, 1999.

During his tenure in Beauregard Parish, he served on the Professional Improvements Committee, and on several Parish Pupil Progression Committees and Mathematics Text book Adoption Committees. He also assisted in the formulation of the first mathematics tests for the Graduate Exit Exams by serving on the statewide committee.

Throughout his career in education, Johnny was active in many of the local, state, and national education associations, and maintains membership in several of these associations. He served for six years as President of the Beauregard Education Association (former local association of the Louisiana Education Association), two years as Vice President of the Beauregard Parish Organization of Classroom Teachers, and four years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Association of Educators Political Action Committee.

At St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he served for nineteen years as President of the Stewards Board, and ten years as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He served as the church's Minister of Music, President of the Lay Organization, and as a member of the Trustee and Stewards Boards. Johnny was a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the NAACP and the Grambling Alumni Association.

Johnny married the former Evelyn Jones of Lake Charles, and were the parents of two children Jason Thomas (Atrina) and Annetta Anglade (Jean), and grandparents of three girls, Ashley Tucker (Jeremy), Katrina Cannon, Daniele Cannon, and grandson Javin Thomas and great grandson Zaiden Tucker.

He is preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Thomas, his parents Annie Mae Williams and Johnnie Thomas, brother Jerry Orphey, sisters Julie August and Kathy Stanton.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporate will host their Omega Service at 10:06 a.m. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M. in Reeves CME Temple, interment with Military Honors  will be in Combre Memorial Park under the direction of Combre Funeral Home.