Welcome to the board, Lonnie. You are among good company here. Many of of did the same, and shaved when we first started to thin. Some here still have hair, but choose to shave it as well.
I was also 49 when I shaved. My hair was thinning, but not to the point is was noticeable to family and friends. I always had thick hair, and I could tell the difference. I started shaving and instantly loved it, I was a daily shaver for the first 10 years or so because I loved the feel of my freshly shaved head. Now, at 64, it is a every two to three day shave. BTW, once I noticed the thinning, I was only about 3 years until my top was almost completely bald.