Thomas Edward Clifford, III was born on March 9,1929 in Washington, DC. An only child, his parents were Thomas Edward Clifford, Jr. (the Head Manager of the Clifford Family Print Shop) and Klotha Isabelle Spriggs Clifford Outten (an Elementary School Principal).

Nicknamed Tom (Chunky), he graduated from Paul L. Dunbar High School in Washington, DC in June 1945 at the age of 16. He then attended Howard University in Washington, DC and graduated in June 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and as the singular Distinguished Military Graduate of the Air Force ROTC Program.

In September 1949, Tom entered the US Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned as a Supply Officer. Subsequently in 1951, he completed Pilot Training and was assigned as a Fighter Pilot in the Air Defense Command. Over the next 10 years, he was stationed sequentially at bases in New Jersey, Alaska and California. His primary aircraft assignments included the F-94, F-89, F-102
and F- 106.

In June 1963, Tom graduated from the one-year Air Force Advanced Management Program at the George Washington University in Washington, DC with an MBA Degree in Management.

Following a 3-year assignment in Germany and a 3-year assignment in the Pentagon, Tom was enrolled for one year in ICAF (Industrial College of the Armed Forces) in Washington, DC. Following graduation in 1970, he was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing in Danang, South Vietnam as the Vice Wing Commander. The Wing was equipped with F-4 Phantom Fighter Aircraft.

His combat tours in Vietnam were followed by his assignment as Wing Commander of the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany-which was equipped with F-4 Phantom Fighter Aircraft and EB66 Reconnaissance Aircraft. This prestigious assignment was culminated by his promotion to the rank of Brigadier General, designating him as the FOURTH African American General officer in the history of the United States Air Force.

Thereafter his following assignments were Vice Commander of the 17h Air Force at Sembach Air Base in Germany; USAF Director of Inspection at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernadino, California; Division Commander of the 26th NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) Region at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona (where he was promoted to Major General), and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs at the Pentagon.

In October 1979, Major General Thomas E. Clifford retired from the United States Air Force having completed 30 years of honorable service.

Immediately and coincidentally, Tom was hired by the Fisher Body Division of the General Motors Corporation. He was assigned as Plant Manager of the Detroit Central Plants (viz: 3 Plants: Jig & Fixture and Plastics and Pilot Assembly). One year later, Tom was promoted to Plant Manager of the Fleetwood Assembly Plant which assembled the bodies of all of GM's Cadillac Vehicles.

Then in 1987, Tom enrolled in the newly established GM Minority Dealer Program. Upon completion of the training in 1988, he was successful in purchasing the GM Dealership in Blythe, California. Tom operated his CLIFFORD MOTORS GM Dealership (consisting of 5 Franchises: i.e., Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac) until 1993 when he sold it. He then chose to remain here in Blythe for his Final Retirement Years.

Tom Clifford is survived by his wonderful family consisting of his loving wife Edith, daughter Maria (Sean), and three sons: Edwin, Larry (Vanessa) and Mark (Alix) PLUS ten grandchildren, Marcus (Danielle), Lacey, Christopher, Edwin, Kaleb, Quinten, Jaiden, Jordan, Olivia and Alexander and Six great-grandchildren.

Memorial service for Tom will be held on Thursday, August 10th at 10:00 a.m. at Frye Chapel in Blythe.  Burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.