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Grand Master J. Pat Burleson
This is great opportunity to expand on the blessings that I had by being under the guidance and instruction of Grand Master J. Pat Burleson.
Sadly J. Pat Burleson passed away on October 31, 2021. Over 1,000 people were in attendance for his viewing and “Celebration of life”. A 10th degree Black Belt, Mr. Burleson has had many feature stories about his achievements in local and U.S. News magazines, movies, and Television. He was a movie and stunt actor with regular appearances on the CBS Television show “Walker, Texas Ranger.” He traveled the world as a speaker and trainer. He was recently the special training and motivational coach for the Sacramento State football team.
He established the first karate school in 1959 in Ft. Worth, Texas. His dojo not only blazed a trail in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but was one of the original karate schools founded in America. His business practices of developing belt programs for karate business was also a first.
History records J. Pat Burleson as America’s karate pioneer and “Father” of all karate champions. He won the first U.S. Karate Championships in 1964 in Washington D.C. His karate career began in 1957 in Japan while in the Navy. He holds the highest American Taekwondo ranking under the “father” of American Taekwondo, Jhoon Rhee. Master Burleson has been estimated to have 250,000 graduates from his karate schools. His influence and guidance over 60 years have been instrumental in the maturity of so many people. Before it was commonly known that martial arts is a tremendous tool for developing solid character and building confidence, respect, and discipline in people,
Pat was laying the roadmap for future generations with martial arts principles. In addition to being an icon to multitudes of karate practitioners, Master Burleson was so admired by the masters of other styles of martial arts that they have endorsed him as the head of the World Martial Arts Ranking Association and allow their names to be placed on every certificate endorsing the black belt rank of anyone fortunate enough to be awarded a diploma. Many of these men are no longer living which makes this endorsement impossible to achieve through any other ranking organization.
The WMARA endorsers include martial arts icon’s such as
• Allen Steen from American karate,
• Ed Parker father of American Kenpo,
• Jim Harrison from Aiki Jutsu kickboxing,
• Jhoon Goo Rhee father of American Tae Kwon Do,
• Robert Trias father of American Martial Arts,
• Joe Lewis Okinawan Karate and the first US Kickboxing Champion,
• Steve Armstrong from American Okinawan Isshin Ryu,
• Bill Wallace from Karate, Judo and American Kickboxing,
• Bob Wall from Okinawan Karate and Tang Soo Do,
• Dr. Maung Gyi from Bando and Burma Arts.
Master Burleson’s legacy will exist through the continuation of this association through the guidance of Jim Butin, the support of Anna Burleson and many other leaders in the martial art field. Inquiries for involvement may be forwarded to 5724 Arrowhead NE, Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078 or beyondthefighting@gmail.com
"I am proud to say that Master Burleson requested that I take over the position as the head of that prestigious organization… the WMARA As the Director of the World Martial Arts Ranking Association. (WMARA)
I am honored to offer the most credible program for testing for higher rank Black Belts." Jim Butin