During this time, he met and married Elnora Douglas; on May 20, 1958, their union produced 3 daughters.

Pastor Thomas was a hardworking, disciplined visionary with an unquestionable work ethic, who regarded himself as a simple farmer. In 1956 he went to work for Rowan & Company, where he spent the majority of his 20 years of employment with the company working as a heavy equipment operator. His last four years were spent working as a cotton picker harvester mechanic, which helped to fuel his desire to one day establish his own trucking company. He worked diligently and raised calves to bring that dream to fruition, becoming a business owner in 1976. He owned and operated “M &E Thomas (Marcell and Elnora) Trucking Company” from 1976 until 1992. 

In the early sixties, he relocated his family from Halls Corner to Hanford, becoming one of the original homeowners in the predominantly African American south Hanford neighborhood of Kings Terrace. Unbeknownst to him, this one act would change his life trajectory and that of many others. There, he was approached by a neighbor, the late Suffragan Bishop Joshua L. Cotton, who introduced him to the Apostolic Faith.

In 1962 he was baptized in Jesus' name, and in 1963 he received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Driven by his passion for leading a purposeful God-centered life, he immersed himself in God's word, eventually becoming the assistant pastor at Golden Harvest Apostolic Church and an ordained Elder in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Organization.

He was a member of Golden Harvest for fifteen years and served faithfully until God called him to his own work in 1976; when he founded and established New Light Apostolic Temple in Lemoore, C.A. For many years, he balanced the demands of pastoring and business ownership.

After obtaining his goal to burn the mortgage of New Light Temple in 1992, he retired his business to devote the rest of his life to pastoring full-time. In 2010 his Biblical scholarship was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Ecclesia University of Divinity International. After many years of dedicated service to the Lord, he was elevated to Suffragan Bishop Emeritus in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Organization, in 2017.

Suffragan Bishop Thomas' laid-back, easy-going personality was disarming.  His magnetic personality, unique sense of humor, and smiling countenance are what drew people to him. His wisdom, reverence for the word of God, and love of humanity earned the trust of many, and his quick wit and gentle disposition made you want to call him a friend.

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Suffragan Bishop Marcell Thomas sang his last song, gave his last Biblical commentary, visited the last original member of New Light Temple (Missionary Lois Ross), told his last joke, told his family that he loved them, and gently transitioned into his rest with the Lord; for which he worked most of his adult life. We will remember Suffragan Bishop Thomas for being many things, a devoted family man, loving pastor, and a kind friend. Above all, he will be remembered as a faithful servant of God who never waned in his commitment to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This man so great with a heart so generous was a phenomenon, a gift too extraordinary to describe.  He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Coleman and Gracie Thomas; his wife, Elnora Thomas, and nine siblings. He is survived by his loving daughters Cheryl, Judy, and Ramona Thomas, all of Hanford, CA.  Sister; Ethel Mae Webster of Fresno, CA. Grandchildren; Patrice Kenji Bonds (Tene) of Lakewood, CA, Kenya Waldon of Hanford, and Rogenia Roddy of Midwest City, OK. Great-grandsons; Kanye Waldon and Kingston Bonds. Great-granddaughter: Brooklyn Bonds, his beloved saints of New Light Apostolic Temple, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.