Thomas Lindsey, aka “Draco,” is truly the giant of the Karate Institute of America. He hooked-up with Mr. King to say his farewell last week. He, his wife Michele and family, will be leaving the West Coast to establish a new life on the East Coast this month.
Draco is the 52nd Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu, earning his first dan ranking on 13 December 1997. Although projecting a fearsome presence, Thomas is a gentle giant. Never once in his entire martial arts journey to Black Belt did he ever hurt anyone sparring. As a fighter, he had great control.
Thomas Lindsey is also an extremely smart, dignified, respectful human being … and classy—setting up a luncheon appointment to say his good-byes. Albeit short, it was a wonderful time of getting caught up and sharing old stories of the glory days of the Kiado-Ryu—days before cell phones and computers were commonplace; days where people spent time developing their marital arts skills in pursuit of a KIA Black Belt and its significance as a most noteworthy accomplishment.
Draco will be missed, no doubt. Luckily and thankfully, technology brings people together instantly at the click of a mouse or the touch of a keypad - a long distance from the time people actually had to write letters and send them by snail mail, often waiting weeks, if not months, for a return response; a time of which the young ones in today’s world have no experience. Truly, life changes and time marches on, waiting for no man.
Speaking for the entire Karate Institute of America, we want to say, “Thanks for the great and memorable times, Draco! We will miss you but wish you and your family all the best as you begin a new and adventurous phase of your life.”
Note: Draco’s email will remain the same. For those of you who would like his contact information, connect with Mr. King.