Childhood and Education
Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Thomas was the third of eight children of Croatian immigrants who came to America in 1903. His family moved from Mississippi to Oakland, California in 1917, and then to San Pedro in 1919. In 1928, he graduated from San Pedro High School. He received a Bachelor Degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1932 and attended the University of Santa Clara and Loyola Law Schools from 1932 to 1936. He worked as a minor sports coach and physical education instructor while in college. He also played football for Santa Clara.
After graduating law school, Thomas did not open his own practice, but found a job in a fish processing factory that was owned by Martin J. Bogdanovich, a fellow Croatian from the Island of Vis. While with the factory, Thomas was encouraged to engage himself in politics.
Read more about this topic: Vincent Thomas
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