George Thomas was born in New Zealand, educated at Otago Boys' High School, and served for six years in the RNZAF before joining Dunlop New Zealand in 1948 as stores supervisor, during the building of the factory.
In 1958 he visited Dunlop plants at Fort Dunlop (Birmingham), Hanau (Germany), and Cork (Ireland) and was promoted to production manager when he returned. In 1964 he was made assistant to the Works Director. By 1964 he was one of around 40 people who had served Dunlop 15 years or more, and is visible in a photo of the group published in the "Leader" of December 8, 1965.
Among other distinctions, he had been president of the Upper Hutt RSA, who provided a guard of honour at his funeral. He was elected Mayor in 1968, but in March 1970 had to take leave of office after an operation.
He collapsed and died on October 22, while travelling between Picton and Nelson. The funeral as held at St Joseph's Catholic church, probably so as to accommodate he numbers expected, but it was conducted by St Hilda's Anglican vicar, the Rev. Cyril Browne; the 'Leader' printed a picture with the hearse in the foreground, on October 29.
