Carl Russell Thomas

Carl Russell Thomas was born on July, 3, 1945, at 8:30pm, to the late Clarence Thomas and his surviving mother, Katherine Stanton (Tisdale) in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended John Adams High School, and later studied business management at Cleary College. As a young man, Carl had an adventurous spirit and proudly served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1969. During his service to his country, he was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, and Fort Knox, Kentucky, as well as a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal, in addition to his Marksman Badge for the M-14 Riffle NDSM. After leaving the service, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked within several service sectors and was an entrepreneur, operating several private business ventures over the years. As much as he devoted himself to his business, he loved most, his civic involvement, volunteering his time at local public events, like Com Fest, the Ohio State Fair, and the Hot Times Festival, held in downtown Columbus every year, where he could fellowship with his longtime friends and colleagues. Carl was a kind hearted and gentle soul, who loved spending time in the country with his brother Clarence Jr., who was his best friend in life’s journey. They were inseparable comrades, a force to be reckoned with in their youthful heyday. The two of them have a life time of shared memories and adventures, and are proudly loved and honored by their family and friends. Similarly, both men identified with Native American spirituality as young adults and often frequented spiritual sweat lodges, drum circles, and teepees, as they were both urban cowboys, turned soul and funk bluesmen of a hippie persuasion. Carl has two surviving sisters and brother, named Clarence Edward Thomas Jr., Charlie Mae Kee, and Electa Jean Johnson; all of which have beautiful loving families. In addition, Carl has three children as his next of kin and surviving relatives, two beautiful daughters and a son, named Aaron Luther Thomas, Samantha Ann Carter, and Pamela Augustine. Aaron being the youngest of the siblings, is married to Monique Ebony Thomas. Samantha is married to James Carter III, and their children, Carl’s grandchildren are Markeyse Carter, Whittney Carter, and Alyssa Carter, as well as his great grandchildren Kwamane Hannah Jr., KaeShawn Hannah, and KaLaya Hannah. Pamela Augustine, as the eldest, is married to Philip Augustine, and their children, Carl’s grandchildren are Anthony Coleman, Jamal Coleman, Darnell Coleman, Philip Augustine Jr., Chianti Augustine, Alfonso Augustine, Addrienne Augustine, Ashanta Augustine, Ashantee Augustine, Pharnell Augustine, and his great grandchildren are Amir Coleman, Ace Coleman, Zayni Coleman, Philip Augustine III, Lodon Coleman, and Legend Coleman. Carl will be tremendously missed by his friends and family, as all who knew him, knew of his loving heart and tender grace. Thus, he overcame much hardships and battles throughout his length of days, as have the previous generations since emancipation on these blood-stained shores, and he remained positive in mind and spirit till the very end, despite the weariness caused by the pressures of the world. His legacy of strength through adversity will live on as his offspring celebrate his life, forever more! Selah. Service: Monday, November 7, 2016