I’ve spent most of my 55 years in Shotokan Karate-Do training and teaching right here in the islands. The exception was the several years I spent on active duty with the Air Force in California. While there, I was fortunate to discover a sensei with several Shotokan dojos in the area. I joined immediately and was able to continue practice and help teach amongst my new dojo mates. Eventually, I became friends with the head senpai there. George was a tall, lanky, and quiet man who was several years my senior. We often trained together outside of the dojo, exchanging ideas about the art. He had achieved his black belt in two karate styles but eventually settled on Shotokan as his preferred art. After a couple of years, I was forced to cut back on my karate time – I had become a new father and was also attending graduate courses at night (no computers or online classes back in the 1970s). The last time I saw George, he dropped by my home to say farewell. He and his family were leaving for their next Air Force assignment. I later heard that he’d retired from the service and settled with his family in the town right outside of the base we once trained at.

Recently, recalling how much he loved teaching Shotokan, I wondered if he was still active (old geezers like Sensei Wayne, Peter, and me are hard to find, haha). Through the internet I managed to find that he had, indeed, started his own dojo over forty years ago. However, my joy was dampened by the fact that my friend George had passed away just several weeks earlier. Very sad and ironic, though Sensei George had the pleasure of sharing Shotokan Karate-Do till the end. He was a quiet, kind, and dedicated man – something we should all strive to be.

This photo of my friend and some of his students was taken last year.

(1974) A young Sensei Wes demonstrating the mae tobi-geri (flying front snap kick) above a young Sensei George.

Perhaps one day in the far future, you’ll also think back to good times spent training in the dojo with your friends – these memories of youth and vitality are something that you get to keep forever.