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Zoran -> Ed Parker Bio by Zoran Sevic (Mar. 4th, 2007, 8:47:40 PM)
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[image]http://www.kenpothoughts.com/images/Parker/Parker_Sketch.gif[/image] [image]http://www.kenpothoughts.com/images/IKKAcrest_small.gif[/image]
Martial Arts History:
Mr. Edmund Parker was born in Hawaii in 1931, and raised a devout Mormon. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in Judo and later boxing. Some time in the 1940’s, Ed Parker was first introduced to Kenpo by Frank Chow. After some time Frank Chow introduced Ed Parker to William K. S. Chow. Mr. Parker trained with William Chow, while serving in the Coast Guard and attending Brigham Young University. In 1953 Mr. Parker earned his black belt.
By 1956, Mr. Parker opened his school in Pasadena California. One of his first black belts was James Ibrao. Other black belts in chronological order up to 1962 were; Rich Montgomery, Rick Flores, Al Tracy, Jim Tracy, Chuck Sullivan, John McSweeney, and Dave Hebler. In 1962 one of Mr. Parker’s black belts, John McSweeney opened a school; in Ireland, which enabled Mr. Parker to create the International Kenpo Karate Association.
Mr. Parker was well known for his skills as an instructor and his business sense. He helped many a martial artists to open their schools. He was also well known in Hollywood, he trained a great many stuntmen and celebrities. One of his most well known celebrity students was Elvis Presley. There are a great many people who owe Mr. Parker in one way or another.
Edmund K. Parker died in Honolulu, Dec.15, 1990.
Today:
After Mr. Parker’s death, a great wound opened up in American Kenpo. The man was responsible for so many great things in the martial arts that you could write books about it. There is much bickering in Kenpo on who carries on the legacy of this great man. What I have to say now about this will probably make some people angry. Grow up! Stop the bickering, there is no need to fill Parker’s shoes, wear your own shoes and follow your own path. Mr. Parker left us a great gift, sharing the gift and being grateful is all we can do. Kenpo is a living, breathing thing. Change is a part of Kenpo, Parker himself went through many changes in his system, and if he were still alive, we would have seen more change to his system.
Parker quote, "Every Kenpo black belt is a style unto himself."
Kenpo Thoughts Note:
For books written by Grandmaster Edmund Parker
Click Here In 1991 I saw the Perfect Weapon starring Jeff Speakman. I had been out of martial arts for about 2 years. After seeing the movie, it reminded me of Kenpo and how much I missed it. Right then I decided to come back to Kenpo.
At the end of the movie I saw the memorial dedication to Mr. Parker. I had not known of his passing before then. I was devastated. I had not known the man personally, but I still felt a great loss. I only had one occasion where I saw him in person at a demonstration around the early 80’s. That one time was enough to burn it into my mind.
Thank you Edmund Kealoha Parker for all you have given us.
Recent Updates:
5/16/2002 - I’ve added a picture of SGM Parker’s Black Belt certificate from Professor Chow. The picture Used with permission from the Ed Parker Estate.
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