Edmund Kealoha Parker (March 19, 1931–December 15, 1990) was an American martial artist, exhibitionist, and teacher, perhaps most famous as the founder of American Kenpo. March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Parker was born in Hawaii on March 19, 1931, and raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in judo and later boxing. Some time in the 1940s, 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 that he was promoted to the rank of brown belt by William K.S. Chow. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... Judo , gentle way) is a martial art, combat sport, and philosophy which originated in Japan. ... Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Domínguez (left) versus Rafael Ortíz Boxing, also called pugilism, prizefighting (when referring to professional boxing) or the sweet science (a common nickname among fans), is a sport and martial art in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists... Kenpo may also refer to the Constitution of Japan (憲法) Kenpo or Kempo (拳法 Kenpō; lit. ... The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense, among other duties of coast guards elsewhere. ... Brigham Young University, often referred to as BYU, is the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ... William Kwai Sun Chow (aka William Ah Sun Chow Hoon) was born July 3, 1914 in Honolulu, Hawaii and died September 21, 1987. ...

By 1956, Mr. Parker opened his McDojo in Pasadena, California. His first black belt student was James Ibrao. The other black belts in chronological order up to 1962 were: Charles Beeder, 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. Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... James Ibrao is a Kenpo and Kung Fu master who was born in November 3, 1937 in Hawaii in a city called Waialua. ... Charles Beeder Sr. ...

Mr. Parker was well known for his business creativity. He helped many martial artists to open their McDojo's. He was also well known in Hollywood where he trained a great many stunt men and celebrities; most notable was Elvis Presley. He also helped Bruce Lee gain national attention by introducing him at his International Karate Championships. He served as Elvis Presley's bodyguard during the singer's final years, did movie stuntwork and acting, and was the Kenpo instructor of martial arts action movie actor Jeff Speakman. He is best known to Kenpoists as the founder of American Kenpo and is referred to fondly as the "Father of American Kenpo". He is referred to formally as Senior Grand Master. This does not cite its references or sources. ... A stunt performer is someone who performs dangerous stunts. ... A celebrity is a widely-recognized or famous person who commands a high degree of public and media attention. ... Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... International Karate and martial arts tournament at Long Beach, California. ... A bodyguard is a person or group of people who professionally protect someone (known as their principal) from personal assault, kidnapping, assassination, loss of confidential information, or other threats. ... Jeff Speakman Jeff Speakman is an American actor and an accomplishmed martial artist in the art of kenpo. ...

Parker had a minor career as a Hollywood actor and stunt man. His most notable film was Kill the Golden Goose ^[1]. In this film, he co-stars with Hapkido master Bong Soo Han. Hapkido (also spelled hap ki do or hapki-do) is a dynamic and somewhat eclectic Korean martial art. ... Grand Master Bong Soo Han Bong Soo Han, born in Seoul, Korea on August 25, 1931 is a world renowned Hapkido Instructor and Author. ...

Edmund K. Parker died in Honolulu of a heart attack on December 15, 1990. His widow Leilani Parker passed away on June 12, 2006 Nickname: The Gathering Place Location within the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii Coordinates: Country United States State Hawaii County City and County of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann Area    - City 105 mi² / 272. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Tributes

The 1991 martial arts film The Perfect Weapon, starring his student Jeff Speakman, contained a dedication to Parker before its closing credits. The Perfect Weapon is a 1991 film starring Jeff Speakman. ...

Parker was portrayed by his son, Ed Parker Jr., in the 1993 Bruce Lee biography, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. Ed Parker Jr. ...

Notes

1. ^ Kill the Golden Goose

External links

• Ed Parker at the Internet Movie Database