In Memory Of Our

Departed Martial Artists

Blessed are those who mourn…

they shall be comforted (Mat. 5:4)

Attention everyone:

Please put these martial artists and their families in your prayers. Our deepest sympathies are with these families and their loved ones. This section is only for martial artists. Though we sympathize with any loved one who have passed, this area is for the martial arts practitioners who have passed on. Please, if you know of or have heard of any martial artist who has passed, please contact us out of respect and the possibility of donations for their families. Please help us to keep this updated. Many have had to deal with the costs and hardships of the loss of a loved one. The Alliance would like to offer our deepest sympathy and hopefully others will offer their token of assistance towards the families in those difficult times.

~Thank You~

Amy Kohler: (recently)- (Ohio) Wife of Rod Kohler (a Martial Arts man & school owner of many years). Amy recently became a Yellow Belt. Cards and or donations can be sent to:        Rod Kohler,  1011 Richie  -  Lima, Ohio 45801

Bong Soo Han:  (recently) - (California)  Hapkido Genius! The man who made ‘Billy Jack’ (Tom Laughlin) a hit in this series. Details available in the newest issue of “Black Belt” magazine.

Lillian Rodriguez: (recently) - (California)  A sibling of one of the nine ‘Urquidez’ family, Lillian was the first noted lady kick boxer in the industry with another talented husband ‘Blinky’ Rodriguez; brother to the well known Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez/Alfred Urquidez and other Uriquidez family of the Hollywood/L.A. California area. Cards and or donations can be sent to:  Alfred Urquidez,  14661 Fox St. - Mission Hills, California 91345                                                         

Doug Betts: (2006) - (Massachusetts)  Doug Betts was inducted into the Hall Of Fame last year, unfortunately, Doug passed away 12 days after being inducted. Doug and his fiancée were in the process of developing a retreat for all Martial Artists to join called ‘The Warriors Retreat’ in Tennessee. A training ground of over 40 acres. His fiancée (Kelli) emailed us that while in the process of developing his dream retreat for all Martial Artists a tractor he was on rolled over him taking his life. Kelli said Martial Arts was Doug’s life. More information about donations can be found on his website:   WWW.CYBORGSCORNER.COM

Sgt. Wayne Cornell: (2007)   A 3rd Dan Black Belt student at South Central Taekwondo. He was killed by a road-side bomb on March 20th in Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and 3 children. We are going to miss him very much

Mindy Poland: (2007) – (Illinois)   An inspiration to all young Martial Artists. Her dedication and Martial Arts abilities were admired by many. Mindy passed this year, age 19, due to a brain tumor... Find out how you can support brain tumor research and patient services program...nbtf@braintumor.org

SPC Daniel Unger: (2004) – (California)  U.S. Army. The below link will tell you more about this fine young man.

Jerry Mottershaw: (2007) – (Illinois)   Mr. Mottershaw was a 3rd Dan Black Belt at Auvenshine’s School of Tae Kwon Do in Auburn, IL,  where he trained for 7 years and seldom missed a class. He cleaned the dojang on a weekly basis and, as a master gardener, planted and cared for the flowers at the front of the school. Mr. Mottershaw was a supreme example of kindness and humility and will be greatly missed.

Christopher James Canning ( Maroa , Illinois) 9/20/85 – 6/30/01  Chris was a 1st Degree Black Belt, a classical pianist, an Honor Student and had a heart for animals and for the homeless. He has many Honors & Tributes under his name. Among those are Honors & Tributes from President George Bush, U.S. Senate Dick Durbin, U.S. Congressman Ray Lahood (of Illinois ). Chris has many State & Local Tributes as well as World & National Tributes. Some of his Martial Arts Achievements are; 15 State Titles, 3 National Titles, 30 State/National Medals he was also Illinois Student and Athlete of the Year. Thirty internet websites talk about this outstanding Martial Artist…Student…Young Man.

Israel Ortiz  (Connecticut)  A member of the U.S.A. Martial Arts ‘Hall of Fame’ {2003/2004/2005}  An energetic creative Master who loved his family and students. - Ortiz Family, 156 3rd Ave., New London, Ct O6320

Sherry Thomas:  Loving wife, mother and friend. Sister-In-law to Dr. Jim Thomas. We all miss you ‘sis’

  

Charlotte Thomas:  Wonderful wife, mother & encouraged all the karate men in her family. We miss you mommy! You put up with all of Karate men! You’re a delicate part of my heart still. Mother of Dr. Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas Sr.  Dad, you’re my hero and hero to many!  Your stories of Master Trias in the 50’s are in my memories

Your encouragement still keep me going.  I love you dad and miss you.   ~Jim Thomas Jr.~

Evan Tanner:  U.F.C. star who just signed a 4 year contract with the U.F.C. The world of ‘MMA’ misses you!
Daniel Trudo: Ohio
Charles Williams: Independence , Kentucky
Dear Mr. Thomas, I regret to inform you that John passed away July 19, 2007.  Please remove his information from your mailing list.  He was a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo at the time of his passing and owned a small studio in Las Vegas, Nevada.  John was a Ph.D. in Education and his past consisted of teaching high school in Nebraska, Director/Vice President of a post-secondary  school in downtown Los Angeles, California and Director of an ITT Technical Institute in Carson, California.  Also, he was a published author of a book telling about his life during a time in 1959.  John loved life and was always a great mentor....especially to those who were less fortunate in life. His positive attitude guided many on how to make good choices.  Probably his greatest love was teaching American Kenpo to his "young adults" (as he loved to refer to them), ages 5 to 13.  Although he has been gone almost two years, I still have correspondence from many of his students and their parents informing me of their advances and how much John influenced their lives.

Prof. H. Arthur Gitlin: (recently) - I have the sad job of letting you know that my husband and instructor Prof. H. Arthur Gitlin passed away on 10-01-09. He had devoted over 47 years of training and teaching his system "Haak Lung Chaun Fa". Respective, Si Gung Susan Thomas Gitlim                                                      

DONALD RUSSELL Marshfield, Mo. Don began Judo in June of 1944 at the Y.M.C.A. in Highland Park, Michigan. In October of 1947 he went in the U.S. Army and served until June of 1968. He served in Japan, Korea, Germany, Taiwan, Vietnam and trained in many of these countries. He learned the techniques of the old Masters and have brought them back here to teach in his own Dojo. He founded his first Dojo, High Rolls Dojo Kodokan Judo in Sept. of 1968 and was affiliated with the Boys Club in Aamogordo, New Mexico in1969. In 1972 he moved to Marshfield, Mo. and founded the Hermitage JU Dojo there in 1980. August 2009 He founded the Academy of Martial Arts with his Partner, John Manning in Marshfield, Mo. They offered Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi and Cardio Karate. His many Martial Arts Associations affiliations are: AAU  -  Amateur Athletic Union - FFJDA - Federation Francais do Judo et Disiplines Asimolie - DYB -  Doich Yudo Bund  in West Germany - AFJA - Armed Forces Judo Association - USJA - U.S. Judo Association - USA - Judo - 2007 - inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame - 2009 - U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame Award “ 60 years Plus”.  Don died December 7, 2009, fitting that he served our country for 20+ years! He was promoted to the Judo Rank of Sandan September 15, 2009.

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