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Mr. Edmund Parker was born in Hawaii in 1931, and raised a devout Mormon. 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. In 1953 Mr. Parker earned his black belt..
By 1956, Mr. Parker opened his school in Pasadena California. One of his first black belts was James Ibrao. 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 a martial artists to open their schools. He was also well known in Hollywood, he trained a great many stuntmen and celebrities. One of his most well known celebrity students was Elvis Presley. There are a great many people who owe Mr. Parker in one way or another.
Edmund K. Parker died in Honolulu, Dec.15, 1990.
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