Always the thrifty spender, Thomas traded in his traditional vehicle for one that's a little different.

He cruises down Main Street in an 1,800-horsepower, gun-metal gray lawn mower and urges others to do the same.

'I'm always driving,' Thomas said. 'But I only have to fill up every two or three days.'

In a town where it's common to see just as many tractors as there are pickups cruising down the highway, Nocona locals have grown accustomed to watching Thomas drive along with them.

His cost-saving methods haven't always come without a price, though.

'I get a lot of ribbing, if you know what I mean,' Thomas said. 'But that's OK.'

Kenneth Forester, also known as Foogie, has known Thomas all his life. He still gets a kick out of seeing him on the shoulder of U.S. 82, cruising against traffic to avoid an accident.

'It's the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life,' Foogie said. 'What is this world coming to?'

Foogie finds it funny, but not everyone enjoys seeing the overall-clad Thomas and his bladed chariot in town.

A couple of years ago, someone complained about the lawn mower taking up a parking space in the major downtown hot spot: Dairy Queen.

'I don't see the problem,' Thomas said.

'It's no different than someone parking their motorcycle there.'

Since he's not one to pick a fight, he started parking on the curb, he said.

Despite any complaints against him, the 64-year-old bachelor is quick to offer a helping blade.

He used to mow the lawns on the Little League field and never saw a dime for it.

'That was back when gas was low,' Thomas said.

He now drops his blades only to mow his own yard and occasionally the grass that lines the city streets.

Some have called him a bandit of sorts.

Not too long ago, he drove up to Sonic, ordered a milkshake, and settled across the street in the liquor store parking lot.

He must have looked suspicious.

'Someone thought I wanted to rob the place,' Thomas said, chuckling.

'I said before I rob a liquor store, I'm gonna need a faster getaway car.'