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Sr. Grandmaster Ed Parker

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Ed Parker

Born Edmund Kealoha Parker, Sr. (March 19, 1931 - December 15, 1990) was an American martial artist, exhibitionist, and teacher, perhaps most famous as the founder of American Kenpo.

Parker was born in Hawaii on March 19, 1931. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in Judo and later boxing. Some time in the 1940’s, 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. It was 1953 that he was promoted to the rank of black belt by William K.S. Chow.

By 1956, Mr. Parker opened his school in Pasadena, California. One of his first black belts was James Ibrao, although there is debate that a Charles Beeder was his first black belt. In either case, the other black belts in chronological order up to 1962 were; 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.

Mr. Parker was well known for his skills as an instructor and his business sense. He helped many martial artists to open their schools. He was also well known in Hollywood where he trained a great many stuntmen 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 most well known to Kenpoists as the founder of American Kenpo and is referred to as Senior Grand Master.

Parker had a minor career as a Hollywood actor and stunt man. His most notable film was Kill the Golden Goose In this film, he co-stars with Hapkido master Bong Soo Han.

Edmund K. Parker died in Honolulu of a heart attack on December 15, 1990.

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