He was our close family friends for over 50 years. My wife (Carrie Ogawa Wong) and I (Douglas) attended his memorial services on Friday (09/20/24) to a standing room only at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. A martial art pioneer and a great martial art teacher. Rest in Paradise until we meet again.
That was a week ago, my condolences to his friends and family, I've been studying his book "Fighting Karate " and his video "Functional Karate " as I have been working on developing my own family martial art, they have been so helpful, I didn't know how innovative and knowledgeable of a martial artist he was until recent years, since a young martial artist I had known him as the inventor of the Kubotan Keychain, but he was so much more, he's an inspiration to me, I'm nearing 60 now , but I saw how active and capable he was even in his later years, I will also try to emulate him and be active for the rest of my life as the Good Lord allows me to do so !
We have lost a true giant in this one. It’s hard to overstate his magnanimous contribution to the arts, his students and to his friends and family. He honored tradition and stayed open to innovation. May the carriers of Gosoku Ryu honor his creation and keep the name unsullied. My sincere condolences. 🙏
He touched so many people. My condolences to his family and friends. I only had the honor of training with him once, but a cherished memory. A great tribute. It reminded me of how many we have lost in the last few years; Kanazawa, Okazaki, Yamazaki, Demura, and now Tak Kubota. The best way can honor them is to train as they taught us.
