Clifton Edward Moreland

CLIFTON EDWARD MORELAND Clifton Edward Moreland was born on November 29, 1944, to Ella R. Pinckney and Edward Moreland in Lothian, Md. The family moved to the Washington, DC area when he was a child. His formative years were spent in the NE area (now Capitol Hill). He was educated in DC's public schools, attending Lovejoy Elementary, Browne Jr. High and Eastern Senior High School. Cliff found like-minded individuals his own age in this close-knit neighborhood while attending church, schools, and recreational events. His close friends were the other kids who frequented the recreation center and/or basketball court at Lovejoy. This group of friends did about everything together throughout his youth. After high school graduation, several were drafted into the military, Cliff, however, joined the Air Force. He was stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Mass., where he was Crew Chief of aircraft maintenance, in particular B-52 bombers. He and his crew members were also temporarily stationed in Guam during the Vietnam War. Cliff was honorably discharged in 1967. During his Air Force stint, Cliff married one of the neighborhood girls, Thama Gross, in 1966. She was also one of his good pals, Paul's younger sister. They courted for several years before marrying and have two incredible children from this union, Damon, and Dawn. They would have been married 58 years on August 6, 2024. During their years together they have shared many adventures and memorable moments, especially with family and friends; Cliff was an only child and loved people, and people loved him. Cliff worked at the Central Intelligence Agency/National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) from 1967 to 1999 in various positions as a Senior Imagery/Intelligence Analyst in various divisions. In addition, he was a Treaty Inspector with the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) for over five years, and represented the CIA at numerous multinational intelligence conferences and at trade fairs such as the Paris & England Air Shows. Other assignments required him to travel to Russia, Germany, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Hungary, and Italy, and other European nations. While working, Cliff graduated from The University of the District of Columbia, Cum Laude, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership, and completed OPM's Management Comprehensive EEO Counseling & Cornell University's EEO Law Seminar. At one point, Cliff was assigned to the CIA's headquarters as their Black Affairs Program Manager, representing the agency at various job fairs throughout the country. He was successful in recruiting many students from various HBCUs to apply to the CIA for employment. Cliff assisted in establishing NPIC's chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG) and attended BIG's many annual training conferences nation-wide from its inception. For many years he was part of the behind the scenes volunteer support team who arranged/provided the materials used by conference attendees; was a registrant, and received several awards for his dedication, diligence, and outstanding service which was vital to BIG's mission. After retiring in 1999, he rested for a few months then decided retirement wasn't for him. He accepted a position with the consulting firm Booze, Allen, Hamilton as an Imagery Analyst Instructor at the National Geospatial Agency (NGA) at Ft. Belvoir, where he stayed for ten years. Cliff loved just about all sports and was a die-hard Redskins/Commanders fan, as well as both the Wizards and the Nationals teams. He loved baseball in particular; a game he mastered at an early age. He was on Eastern High School baseball team, and played on several softball teams while at the CIA. When age and bad knees eventually caught up to him, he gave up playing competitively and decided to become a licensed umpire. Cliff umpired baseball and softball games throughout the DMV for more than 20 years for public and private schools, little leagues, government agencies, and private teams for girls & boys as well as a senior's league. He was often sought after to umpire at local and out of town tournaments, receiving accolades for his knowledge of the game and for his untiring dedication and sportsmanship. Cliff received many awards over the years from local baseball/softball associations and was named a baseball commissioner two years ago with the Metropolitan Baseball and Softball Umpire's Association (MBSUA). Cliff was a dedicated son to his Mom, Ella, throughout his life. He was her pride and joy, always referring to him as "my baby," even as an adult. He made it a mission to take care of his mom and he did, she wanted for nothing. His mom passed on January 16, 2021, and each 16th of the month, Cliff made it a point to place flowers on her gravesite even when he was not feeling well. Cliff cherished his family. He was proud, giving, and supportive in all aspects of his children's nurturing and growth. He made it a point to be present in their lives at all phases and he made certain they never went without. They certainly inherited his giving, caring, and kind personality as well as his strong work ethic, as both are public servants, Damon is a high school history teacher and Dawn (Tink) a Registered Nurse, both showing they care about their fellow human as their dad did. Additionally, Cliff adored Tricia, Damon's beautiful and accomplished wife, and Antoine, Dawn's handsome and very knowledgeable husband, saying often how proud he was of them and was so glad they were a part of his family. Cliff and Thama enjoyed their grandchildren, twins Zoë and Andrew, and would travel frequently to Pennsylvania to either babysit or watch one of their many school events and sports activities they both participated in throughout their schooling. They both are truly following in their G-Dad's footsteps as they too are already showing extraordinarily strong leadership, dedication, and untiring work ethic. They are both in their final year of college; Zoë is majoring in Pre-Med/Biology with an interest in Surgery, working as an EMT, and aspires to become a physician. Andrew is majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Cell and Tissue research and hopes to obtain a PhD. They both show that same compassion and desire to help others as did their G-Dad. Even though Cliff saw a lot of the world while employed, he loved touring and cruising with family and friends, enjoying just about all the Caribbean islands, and much of the U.S. for vacation. He even fulfilled a life-long dream of going on a safari in South Africa with family, which he enjoyed immensely. Cliff was an avid reader, and was very much into today's political scene, a whiz at Jeopardy, Poker, NY Times Wordle, and Connections. He and Thama, along with other family members met monthly to play Phase Ten, where he took the game to another level, (IYKYK) and Telestrations (his skills were so unbelievable). Cliff was up for anything that stimulated and kept his mind sharp. He also loved watching old westerns and spy movies. Being from the DMV he of course loved crabs which he passed down to his children. He also enjoyed family cookouts and perfecting barbecued ribs. Cliff loved the family pets especially his beloved schnauzer Santana, who rode as a puppy on Cliff's lap from Florida creating an unbreakable bond. Cliff is preceded in death by both his parents, Ella and Edward. To carry on his legacy, Cliff leaves behind his loving wife Thama, his adoring children; son Damon (Tricia), daughter Dawn (Antoine); two amazing grandchildren Zoë and Andrew, grandpups Theo and Jaco 'J Bean Esq.', and grandcat Ollie. He also leaves behind to cherish his memory an amazing and supportive group of in-laws (brothers & sisters), nieces & nephews, cousins, and forever friends. Below you will find the link to Mr. Moreland’s live stream Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86568291440?pwd=ip8p5pyp864ZRBblni0GsHMbmrWqah.1 Meeting ID: 865 6829 1440 Passcode: 334985 ---

Clifton Edward Moreland

November 29, 1944 - July 16, 2024