Thomas, Clifford Lamount, Sr. "Flint", 67 of Suitland, Maryland.

Obituary

Clifford Lamount Thomas, better known as Flint or Lamount to friends and family and Grand Master Dr. Thomas to the Martial Arts world, was born to the late Clifford and Robbie Mae Thomas on February 23, 1954.  Flint was educated in the Washington, D.C school system, graduating from Chamberlain Vocational High School.  For a short period of time Flint attended The Washington Technical School.

In 1979 Flint met and married his devoted wife of 43 years Barbara Jenkins.  From this union two beautiful children were born.  Clifford L. Thomas II "Man or Duke" and Misha B. Green.  Years later Flint and Barbara saw the need to adopt their niece Sonisha "SoSo" S. Pope.  Flint had no problem taking her in and treating her as his own daughter.

For a period, Flint worked at the Blue Plains Water Treatment System.  When he felt the need to move on he began working for Chem Clear Environmental Services.

Flint found the love of studying Martial Arts in the early 70's. He trained under Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, Master Kwon Ro, Master Jack Dutcher, and the list goes on and on.  In the 1980's, Flint saw the need to start his own karate school.  He became the founder and CEO of the Tae Kwon Do Ramblers Self-Defense Systems School in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area.

Flint has received so many accolades.  In 1989, Dr. Thomas was named the coach of the Amateur Athletic Union Potomac Valley Team, which was the first to win the Olympic competition in martial arts for the Potomac Valley region. In 1996/97, he was on the Board of Directors of the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace and the World Youth Federation of World Peace. In 1998, he received the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Diamond Life Achievement Award. In 2000, he received the Distinguished Soke Award from the World Martial Arts League, Frankfurt, Germany. In 2002, he was awarded distinguished honors both under General Chai of Korea and the World Korean Martial Arts Union, one of the select few non-Asian Americans to be so recognized. Dr. Thomas also received the Unsung Hero Award from the City of Washington, D.C., Presidential Award from President George W. Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush and special recognition from U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin for his Bullying Prevention and Self-Defense Summer Camp. He also appeared on Harris Heroes, ABC's Robert Burton's Coach of the Week segment as well as U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer commemorative video honoring Flint for over 35 years of service to the community.

In addition to his parents, Flint was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Leroy and Carrie Jenkins and brother, Robert F. Jenkins (Rhoda).

Flint leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Barbara, one son, Clifford II, two daughters, Misha and Sonisha,  one son-in-law, Gordon Green, six surviving grandchildren, Duane (Darlese) McGill, Destiny McGill, Da'Quan, and Da'Myah Thomas, Qeyson Harris and Kennedi Davis, one grand dog,  Ozwald Pic Green (better known as Ozzie, three surviving sisters, Jeanice (Sylvester), Elise (TJ), and Vernetta, four surviving brothers, Cornelius (Candy), Ronald (Molley deceased), Toney, and Christopher, two brothers-in-law,  Charles, and Leroy (April) Jenkins, two uncles,  J.D. Thomas (Lovora) of Savannah GA, Rafford (Betty) of Oxon Hill, MD, and Jeanette (Jonas deceased) of N.C., and a host of godchildren, nieces and nephews, childhood best friend, Glen Ford, other relatives and friends to include the "T Squares", Lawrence, Donald, Bruce, Bud, and Sherman (deceased).  If you knew Flint, you knew the "T Squares".

Viewing, 9:00a.m. until Life Celebration, 11:00a.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at LifePoint Church, 10395 Berry Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20603.  Interment, Heritage Memorial Cemetery, 13472 Poplar Hill Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601.