History of the Okinawan Karate Do Union
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In 1984
Master Allen Wheeler resigned from the karate organization he had been President
of because
of some irreconcilable differences. Many of us who were also members of
that organization followed him fully understanding the reasons for his
leaving. We followed him not only because
of his vast knowledge and ability in Isshinryu and the martial arts in
general, but also because of his morals, his wisdom and true dedication
to his people. Master Wheeler had no intention of forming any type of union or organization but at the urging of several high ranking karateka, a few months later, a meeting was held at a restaurant in Tennessee with the intent to lay the foundation of forming a new organization. Attending the meeting were Master Wheeler, Joe Smith, Sherman Harrill, Don Roberts and Dan Jones. Master Wheeler was proud that two of the five founding fathers, Joe Smith and Sherman Harrill were students of Grandmaster Shimabuku, the founder of the Isshinryu style of karate. This added to the credibility and legitimacy of the new open minded organization. Many different names for the new organization were bounced around. Then Master Wheeler explained his vision for the organization; It would be open to all Okinawan martial arts and any art that is of Okinawan descent. He didn’t want it limited to only Isshinryu people. This, he felt, would widen our member's scope of learning and understanding of martial arts as a whole. Master Wheeler feels in order to obtain a true understanding of karate you need to study aspects of a variety of styles. This way all styles within the organization would benefit by learning from each other. Master Wheeler also wanted and insisted on an organization free from egos and politics. One thing that can destroy an organization is infighting and positional maneuvering among its members. With a clear rank structure, strong leadership and goals, we felt much of this problem could be minimized, if not eliminated. In July of 1986 after several meetings, by-laws, a constitution and board of directors were established and approved. On the original board of directors there was representation from several states including Iowa, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan, Illinois, Massachusetts, Delaware, Indiana and South Carolina. In addition, at this meeting we decided on an official founding date for the new organization. The Okinawan Karate Do Union, (O.K.U.), was officially founded January 1, 1987 with Master Allen Wheeler named founder and chairman. A distinctive patch was also designed. The O.K.U. was not designed to become a large organization (although it now boast memberships from all around the world). Instead the goal was to be the best. The O.K.U. is a close-knit group where you are considered a family member not a number. Every year a three-day seminar is held. Ten to 15 instructors from all over the United States, representing many different styles, gather together for a great weekend. Students of all ranks stand side-by-side learning in harmony. At the 2001 seminar we had two author / instructors join us. Both mentioned how impressed they were with the O.K.U. They had never seen the camaraderie, fellowship and quality of instruction they had witnessed over this weekend. One of the gentleman commented how amazed he was the black belts spoke and even mingled with the lower ranked practitioners. At many other seminars it’s not unusual to feel that an imaginary line is drawn on the floor at these functions, separating the black belts from the color belts, (or kyu ranks). Many feel the best benefit to an O.K.U membership is the communication, fellowship, and exchange of techniques and teaching styles. When the quarterly newsletter began it was only six pages with limited information. It’s not uncommon now for the periodical to have eighteen to twenty pages of articles, information and photos. The O.K.U. web site also provides an avenue for on-line real-time discussions and communication. Both have become a wealth of information. On June 16, 2001, Master Allen Wheeler promoted several individuals within the O.K.U. He did this to place those into a position which he felt would continue the O.K.U. tradition and carry on his legacy. This was a very hard decision for him to make. There are many qualified and dedicated karateka within the O.K.U., many who have been loyal to him, Isshinryu and the O.K.U. Master Wheeler made it very clear he only wanted one leader to oversee the O.K.U. He was not going to make several posthumous promotions like other organizational leaders had done. Sensei Scott Shamblin from Tennessee was named to succeed Master Wheeler as head of the O.K.U. Upon the passing of Master Wheeler, Sensei Shamblin will be promoted to tenth-dan (10th degree black belt). Until that time, Sensei Shamblin would be promoted to ninth-dan and hold the position of President of the O.K.U. Sensei Don Roberts was promoted to ninth-dan and named the Regional Director of the Southern United States district. Sensei Bill Wright was promoted to ninth-dan and named Regional Director of the Central United States district and Sensei Dan Jones was promoted to ninth-dan and named the Regional Director for the Northern United States district. Because of his vast area, Jones named Sensei Joe Arvidson as assistant Regional Director for the Northern United States District. Sensei Jim Alley was named assistant Regional Director for the Central United States District and Keith Lowry for the Southern United States District. The President, Regional Directors and the Board of Directors will do everything they can to continue the tradition of this great organization. The leadership helps guide the organization, but it’s the membership who are the organization. Without the strong dedicated individuals who support the O.K.U. the organization would not exist. The Okinawan Karate Do Union will always remain the organization of its members and we should all be proud and honored to be associated with those in the O.K.U. family. The Okinawan Karate-Do Union - Our Members Make Us Strong Resources: |
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Master Allen
Wheeler
10th Degree Black Belt
Master
Allen Wheeler is well known in the world of Isshinryu Karate. Born October
11, 1919, he has been involved with athletics and martial arts all his life.
He played football and baseball in high school and served his country as a
Automatic Rifleman and hand-to-hand combat instructor in WW II. Master
Wheeler began his study of Isshinryu karate under Isshinryu Master, Harold
Long in 1962. Master Long was a student of Isshinryu founder,
Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. Master Wheeler began his study of Isshinryu
Karate as a way of witnessing for Jesus Christ to the many youths who would
otherwise not be reached. He has received numerous civic awards for
community service and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Master Wheeler is pioneering pressure point applications in Isshinryu Karate and is hosting the "The Master Series" a 10-year series of seminars providing education in acupuncture theory as it applies to Isshinryu. In addition, he Co-Authored a series of three books titled "Dynamics of Isshinryu Karate" and personally authored three additional books; including his latest, "Allen Wheeler 'In his own words' ". He has also successfully operated Wheeler's School of Karate in Powell Tennessee for over 25 years. He is dedicated to helping others through teaching Isshinryu Karate. He is an icon in the Powell community, and serves as an example and inspiration to the many people whose lives he has touched. Master Wheeler was promoted to ju-dan, 10th degree black belt on July 8, 1995. His promotion certificate was signed by many high ranking black belts from around the nation who all agreed Allen Wheeler's abilities, moral and wisdom were consistent with one of such a prestigious rank.
Some of Master Wheelers' Awards include:
 | Promoted to go-dan by Isshinryu founder Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku |
| Founder and First President of the Okinawan Karate Do Union |
| PhD, in Sanchin Kata given by the "College of Yudansha of the Worlds" |
| Martial Arts Hall of Fame, 1988 |
| International Isshinryu Karate Association Instructor of the Year 1980 |
| World Martial Arts Hall of Fame 1992 |
| International Isshinryu Karate Association Hall of Fame 1983 |
| International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame 1993 |
| Master Shimabuku Award - The highest honor presented by the Okinawan Karate Do Union |
| World Martial Arts Hall of Fame "Head Founders of the Year" 2000 |
| Hawaiian International Martial Arts Association Lifetime Achievement Award 2003 |
Sensei Joseph
Smith
9th Degree Black Belt
Joseph
Lewis Smith was born in 1944 in the small town of Wesson, Mississippi. He
was the son of a Baptist Minister and one of 11 children. By the time he
was in high school Joe and his family had moved to the friendly community of
Gibson City, Illinois.
Joe was very athletic and played basketball, baseball, track and was the captain of the 1963 championship football team. After graduating in 1963, Joe enlisted in the military. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division stationed at Camp Schwab, Okinawa.
From 1963 to 1965 Joe studied Isshinryu Karate under Grandmaster Shimabuku at the Agena Dojo. After re-enlisting, Joe was assigned to the HMM265th Division in Viet Nam. While there he studied under Master Don Bohan. Joe was promoted to Ni-Dan my Master Bohan before leaving Viet Nam.
Joe was honorably discharged in 1967 and returned to Champaign, Illinois. He continued to practice Isshinryu and in 1978 founded the first Isshinryu Karate class in Central Illinois.
Master Smith was a retired twenty year veteran Sergeant of the Champaign Police force, the Training Manager and head of the Control Tactics Division of the Police Training Institute, University of Illinois. He also served on the original Board of the Okinawan Karate Do Union.
Master Smith was promoted to 9th degree Black Belt by the Okinawan Karate-Do Union on June 16, 2001. Master Smith passed away from a rare heart condition on June 19, 2001.
Master Smith first considered himself a student of Grandmaster Shimabuku and then Master Bohan. Master Smith considered Master Wheeler and Master Long to be his adopted instructors. The photo of Master Smith was the last taken of him in his gi.
Sensei Sherman
Harrill
7th Degree Black Belt
Sherman Harrill was born on May 11, 1941 in
Lebanon, Missouri. While still a young child, his family moved to Iowa. In
1958, after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States
Marine Corp. In 1959, upon completion of training, Sensei Harrill was
stationed at Camp Courtney near the village of Tengan on the island of
Okinawa. He served on Okinawa for fourteen months. During this time, he
began his training in Isshinryu Karate with Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Sherman Harrill left Okinawa in May of 1960, returning to the United States
and Iowa, with a rank of Shodan. Like several others, he also was entrusted
by Master Shimabuku with a certificate for the rank of Rokudan which would
become valid if he was still training at least 15 years later.
In the early 1980's, Sensei Harrill began giving instructional seminars all over the United States and quickly became one of the most sought after authorities on Isshinryu Karate. In the mid 1980s he assisted in the formation of the Okinawan Karate Do Union. In 1997, he went International, by traveling to South Africa to give a seminar. Students nationally, as well as instructors, were amazed at his technical, physical, and mental skills. The seminar workout was not only physically taxing, but the abundance of Bunkai and Kata techniques shown were almost too many to gather in just a one day seminar. His technical and execution skills, as well as the demeanor by which he taught was unparalleled.
On November 4, 2002 at 10 AM Central time, Sensei Harrill passed away.
Sensei Don
Roberts
9th Degree Black Belt
Don
Roberts began his
study of the martial arts in 1959 in Knoxville, Tenn. As a 13-year-old son of a United States Marine Corps
Reservist, Don was permitted to participate in a class for Marines conducted by
Sergeant Harold Long, who had recently returned from Okinawa.
At that time the art was called Isshin-do karate.
As no gi’s were available, Mr. Long allowed one of his gi’s to be
disassembled and used as a pattern. Wives,
mothers, and girl friends sewed uniforms of unbleached domestic cotton, brown in
color. Those with brown gi’s were
rookies: white gi’s indicated an old hand.
Rank structure was white, green, and black.
As
a student of history at North Carolina State University, Don was a member of the
fencing team, finishing 4th in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Tournament. Don left NCSU with a BA
in History and went on to garner a Master’s degree in history from UNC, Chapel
Hill.
The
passing of years saw training in Gensei-ryu karate, Shito-ryu karate,
Togakure-ryu Ninpo, and jujitsu. As
a student of Master Allen Wheeler for over 20 years, Don has served on the Board
of Directors of the Okinawa Karate-do Union including a term as President.
In
competition, Don has been a member of the U.S. Jujitsu team and has won five
gold medals, as well as,
silver, and bronze medals at the AAU National Karate Championships.
In 1997 Don was inducted into the Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame. Don also received the Outstanding Executive Award from the OKU in 1988. In 1990 Don, along with his wife Jan, were awarded the O.K.U.s highest honor the Shimabuku Award. Don is also the author of a series of books detailing bunkai of Isshin-Ryu Karate Do kata, three of which have been released. See the products page for details.
Sensei Dan Jones
9th Degree Black Belt
Sensei
Jones began his study of the martial arts in 1971 when he was only 11 years
old. Sensei Jones studied Shoto-Kan for only a short time before he was
introduced to Tae Kwon Do. At this same time Dan was also heavily involved
in sports. In high school in Gibson City, Illinois, he was a state
qualifying pole-vaulter, wrestled at the 105 pound weight division and
started varsity as a defensive corner back on the football team. His high
school football coach was quoted as saying, "Not only was Dan the smallest
player in the conference but also one of the toughest." All teams were
conference champions.
In 1978, while attending Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, Sensei Jones joined Master Smith's first class, it consisted of only six students. Dan knew right away that this was the style he was going to dedicate his life to studying and began working out seven days a week; two to four hours a day.
Dan was a full-time Police Officer for thirteen years. Most of that time was spent with the Addison Police Department on the West side of Chicago. In 1997 he was hired as the Practical Training Manager, a curriculum developer and control tactics instructor for the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois. Dan is a state certified Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, Master Control Tactics Instructor, Police Firearms Instructor and Master Law Enforcement Trainer.
In 1997 Jones was named "Executive of the Year" by the O.K.U. and in 1999 he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame. In 2003 he was named "International Martial Arts Master of the Year" and inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Jones has given presentations on control tactics and training methodology to several Illinois State Agencies, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada and the Russian Police in St. Petersburg, Vladimir and Moscow.
In 2002 Sensei Jones' book "Karate - The Isshinryu Way" was released by National Paperback Books. In the widely acclaimed book Jones provides examples of his philosophy utilizing incidents from his years on the street as a police officer, law enforcement trainer and karate instructor. "A must buy", "New required reading for my students.", "Insight to real techniques", "Educated, motivated and emotional", are just some of the comments provided by readers. ISBN 0-89826-105-8
Sensei Jones was Master Smith's senior student at the time of Master Smith's passing. Sensei Jones is married and has two daughters and although he will always consider himself Master Smith's student, in December of 2003 Master Allen Wheeler formally accepted Sensei Jones as his new student.
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