Honoring Grandmaster Martin T. & Mrs. Buell

Our Founder, Teacher, and Mentor

For our family, Grandmaster Buell's influence was deeply personal.

My wife and I had the privilege of training directly under Grandmaster Buell at numerous Aloha Spirit seminars throughout our martial arts journeys. We also participated in many black belt examinations, some conducted personally by Grandmaster Buell and others held under his direct oversight.

These experiences were much more than opportunities to demonstrate techniques or advance in rank. They were opportunities to learn from a remarkable martial artist and mentor whose knowledge, leadership, and encouragement helped shape our development as students and instructors.

Grandmaster Buell was a strong influence on both my wife and me. His guidance helped establish the standards we continue to value in our own training and instruction.

We are equally grateful for the continued support and encouragement of Mrs. Buell, whose ongoing relationship with our school remains a meaningful connection to the Universal Kempo Karate family.

We honor Grandmaster Buell not simply by remembering his teachings, but by striving to preserve his standards, demonstrate his principles, and pass his martial arts legacy to the next generation.

Our martial arts journey has been deeply influenced by Professors Garland R. Johnson and Bridget L. Johnson, whose dedication to Universal Kempo Karate has helped shape generations of students, instructors, and branch schools throughout Colorado.

Both have devoted decades to teaching and developing martial artists, preserving the traditions of Universal Kempo Karate while emphasizing practical self-defense, discipline, personal responsibility, and character.

When our original instructors, Martin and Martha Taylor, retired from martial arts, I had the privilege of continuing my training directly under Professor Garland Johnson.

That relationship became an important new chapter in my development, not only as a martial artist but also as an instructor and school leader.

One of the most meaningful lessons I have learned from Professor Garland Johnson is the principle of meek authority—the ability to lead with strength, humility, confidence, and self-control.

His example has reinforced that effective leadership does not depend on intimidation or displays of authority.Rather, it is demonstrated through consistency, integrity, competence, and genuine concern for those entrusted to our instruction.

He has also taught me that the details matter.

Technical precision, attention to fundamentals, disciplined practice, and accountability are essential parts of martial arts development.

Perhaps most importantly, he has demonstrated that maintaining high expectations and building people up are not opposing responsibilities.

A good instructor challenges students to achieve more while providing the guidance, encouragement, and support necessary for them to succeed.

These lessons continue to influence how I approach teaching and leadership at the Nor'Wood Branch.

Professor Bridget Johnson has likewise made significant contributions to Universal Kempo Karate through her instruction, leadership, and mentorship.

Her dedication to practical self-defense, particularly women's personal protection, reflects the importance of helping students develop confidence, awareness, sound judgment, and the ability to respond responsibly to difficult situations.

Together, Professors Garland and Bridget Johnson have helped develop instructors who continue to share Universal Kempo Karate with students and families across Colorado.

Their commitment demonstrates that martial arts leadership extends beyond individual achievement. Its lasting value is found in the people we teach, encourage, and prepare to carry the tradition forward.

We are grateful for the leadership, instruction, and example of Professors Garland and Bridget Johnson.

Their contributions represent an important connection between Grandmaster Martin T. Buell's legacy and the generations of martial artists who continue his teachings today.

At the Nor'Wood Branch, we strive to reflect the principles we have learned through their example: maintaining high standards, honoring the details, leading with humility, and helping students grow in both ability and character.

True leadership is not measured simply by the authority one holds, but by the people one helps develop.

Every martial artist has someone who first welcomes them onto the training floor, introduces them to the traditions of the art, and helps establish the foundation upon which everything else is built.

For our family, those instructors were Martin and Martha Taylor.

Our journey began in 2004, when our young son started training at their Universal Kempo Karate school. What began as an activity for him soon became an opportunity for our entire family.

When I expressed interest in participating, I initially explained that I didn't want to become my son's coach. I simply wanted to be his dad.

I was encouraged to join him on the training floor—not as his instructor, but as a fellow student.

That invitation changed the course of our family's life.

I began training in 2004, followed by my wife and daughter in 2005. Under the Taylors' instruction, we developed our foundation in Universal Kempo Karate, learning not only techniques and forms, but also the importance of discipline, perseverance, respect, and commitment.

Over the years, the school became an important part of our family. I progressed from white belt to earning my first black belt, never imagining when I first stepped onto the mat that I would one day have the opportunity to lead the same school.

When Martin and Martha retired from martial arts, I was entrusted with continuing the school where our journey had begun.

It was an extraordinary honor, and one that carried a profound sense of responsibility.

Their influence extended beyond our early martial arts instruction. By welcoming our family, investing in our development, and ultimately entrusting us with the school's future, they helped shape both our lives and our commitment to teaching.

We remain deeply grateful to Martin and Martha Taylor for opening the door to a journey that became a family tradition, a lifelong pursuit, and an opportunity to serve future generations of students.

The Nor'Wood Branch we lead today has its roots in the foundation they established, and we are honored to continue the work they began.

Our family's journey in Universal Kempo Karate began in 2004, when our five-year-old son started training. Jeff joined shortly afterward, followed by August and our daughter in 2005, when she reached the minimum training age of four.

What began as an activity for our son became a lifelong family commitment.

Over the years, we trained together, supported one another, and celebrated the achievement of our children's black belts. Both of us continued our martial arts development and have now earned our sixth-degree black belts.

When our original instructors, Martin and Martha Taylor, retired, we were honored to continue leading the very school where our family began its martial arts journey.

Our instruction has been shaped by Grandmaster Martin T. Buell, Professors Garland and Bridget Johnson, and the Taylors, whose mentorship and dedication helped establish the foundation we continue to build upon.

August particularly enjoys working with our Pee Wee and Junior students, helping young martial artists develop confidence, coordination, discipline, and a love of learning. She also values the practical, reality-based self-defense training central to Universal Kempo Karate.

Together, we believe in leading with humility, teaching with precision, maintaining high expectations, and encouraging every student to become more than they believed possible.

Our mission is to preserve the traditions of Universal Kempo Karate while providing a welcoming, challenging, and encouraging environment where students and families can grow together.