GOODWIN: Sr., dad of ex- champ, celebrates 100th birthday Page 1 of 2

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GOODWIN: Pinklon Thomas Sr., dad of ex-heavyweight champ, celebrates 100th birthday

Thursday, May 22, 2014

One hundred years ago, the great heavyweight champion Joe Louis was born in Alabama. A few days after he was born, Pinklon Thomas Sr. was born, also in Alabama, before moving to Pontiac in the 1940s.

There’s a connection here, even though Pinklon Thomas Sr. never boxed in his life. But his son sure did — that’s Pinklon Thomas Jr. — and he eventually won the heavyweight boxing championship, just like Joe Louis did.

While Louis left us a long time ago, Pinklon Sr. is still with us, as a host of relatives, friends and supporters helped him observe his 100th birthday last Sunday at Franklin Road Church of Christ in Pontiac.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Pinklon Jr., who spent the evening “kicking it with Boss Man.”

Indeed, the tributes poured in for Pinklon Sr., a centenarian, U.S. Army veteran and one of a family of 16 children. He has lived through more than a dozen presidential administrations.

Mattie McKinney Hatchett, a member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel, boxing’s first lady Jackie Kallen, former manager of a number of world boxing champions, and Pontiac Mayor Dr. Deirdre Waterman made appearances and gave their tributes.

“She (Waterman) was really, really so nice,” said Pinklon Jr., who did a lot of the grunt work in putting the occasion together, much of which was a long distance production from his home in Orlando, Fla.

There’s a legacy of hard work, duty and commitment to family from Pinklon Sr., of which Pinklon Jr. is fiercely proud and grateful for his dad’s presence.

It would be great if every elder, senior citizen and octogenarian and beyond would be afforded the same respect, recognition and support as Pinklon Jr. lauds on his dad. But too often, it doesn’t happen.

Pinklon Jr. makes sure it does.

“Give them their flowers while they can smell them,” Pinklon Jr. said.

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“That’s my job with my father ... because it’s the right thing to do. My father taught me wisdom, understanding, strength and power. He gives me wisdom, knowledge and understanding and how to deliver the message. It’s not about success, fame or achievement. I do it because of care, love, because it’s Biblical. Honor your father and mother.”

It’s been 30 years since Pinklon Jr. won the WBC heavyweight championship with a 12-round decision over . Before that, he was somewhat of an athletic legend around Pontiac. While at Jefferson Junior High, he once held the state 100-yard dash record for eighth graders. But he also made some unwise decisions along the way, running with an older crowd and getting into trouble. Persons such as Bobby Kaiser, a coach and youth supporter for decades in Pontiac, and Pinklon Sr. and his late wife, Lorene, were always there to reel him in, and never gave up on him.

Pinklon fought many of the top , including , and among others, in a career of roughly 15 or so years.

He was trained at one time by Angelo Dundee, the famed trainer of , and was once managed by Kallen. His boxing has taken places he’d never thought he’d be, meeting people he never thought he’d meet. But he’s always remained grounded and cognizant of his roots in Pontiac.

And dad is No. 1. Daughter Bernice cares for him and sister Audrey also lends a hand.

Pinklon’s descendants had their say, too, during the occasion.

“It was a tearjerking experience when it got to the grandkids,” Pinklon Jr. said. “Wasn’t a dry eye in the building. It got to be really emotional, but it was all good.”

Pinklon Jr. wants the same for his kids and grandkids, and hopes they were paying attention.

“They’ll be able to do the same thing for them, we got to teach ’em, each one, teach one,” Pinklon Jr. said.

Before the afternoon was over, Pinklon Jr. did one more thing. “I gave him a championship belt, got him a big smile,” Pinklon Jr. said.

That was a symbol of 100 years of legacy, of which Pinklon Jr., and the rest of the family, is eternally grateful.

Marvin Goodwin covers boxing for The Oakland Press. Email him at marvin.goodwin@oakpress; Twitter @marvingoodwin.

URL: http://www.dailytribune.com/sports/20140522/goodwin-pinklon-thomas-sr-dad-of-ex-heavyweight-champ-celebrates-100th-birthday

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