Author: Steven Hatfield
Soke James L Parrish is the first and only person to earn Master status under the founder of Wae-Kune-Do Karate, and he is also the headmaster (Soke Head of family) since the passing of Grandmaster Clarence E. West in November, 2008. He earned his black belt back in 1981 from the founder himself, and held the last rank to be received on paper from GM West before his passing, which was his 5th Dan.
Soke Parrish was Master West's right hand for many years until he moved to Columbus, Ohio, and still made trips back and forth to train and help our founder as needed. Travels slowed for him around the mid 2000s due to work schedules and personal life, but Soke Parrish stayed in constant contact with GM West on a regular basis. Master West made a special trip to Columbus to promote Master Parrish to 5th Dan. It was an honor to have him at our dojo and for me to be a witness to this once-in-a-lifetime historical event in Wae-Kune-Do history. Although there were many that earned the rank of black belt under Master West, none of them superseded Master Parrish. When Master West died, all of the black belts got together and decided he should be the next headmaster of the system. He was elevated to 8th Dan in 2008 by the council of black belts, and later to his 9th Dan which he holds today. I began training in WKD under Master Parrish in 1999, and I am now the highest ranked black belt in the art promoted directly by Soke Parrish.
Soke Parrish was Master West's right hand for many years until he moved to Columbus, Ohio, and still made trips back and forth to train and help our founder as needed. Travels slowed for him around the mid 2000s due to work schedules and personal life, but Soke Parrish stayed in constant contact with GM West on a regular basis. Master West made a special trip to Columbus to promote Master Parrish to 5th Dan. It was an honor to have him at our dojo and for me to be a witness to this once-in-a-lifetime historical event in Wae-Kune-Do history. Although there were many that earned the rank of black belt under Master West, none of them superseded Master Parrish. When Master West died, all of the black belts got together and decided he should be the next headmaster of the system. He was elevated to 8th Dan in 2008 by the council of black belts, and later to his 9th Dan which he holds today. I began training in WKD under Master Parrish in 1999, and I am now the highest ranked black belt in the art promoted directly by Soke Parrish.
Soke Parrish has been placed in many Hall of Fames, but holds true to the CW Super Star HOF created by our founder, GM West in late 1980's. Soke Parrish has also won numerous national and international titles in Kata, Kumite, Self-defense, team fighting and many more. He also has experience in a few full contact kickboxing matches hosted by GM West with a loss the first fight and tied for the second fight.
Currently, Master Parrish runs Wae-Kune-Do Karate as a whole by making sure that students are meeting their goals and black belts are able to obtain the rank needed to continue and carry the art the best way possible, as we all know to earn rank a specific you must be promoted someone with high enough rank within the art. At this current time there are only 5 active WKD schools and they are listed below, each instructor had been promoted by Master within the last 10 yrs.
1. Parrish Academy of Martial Arts
Soke James L. Parrish 9th Dan
2. The Technician Dojo
Steven W. Hatfield 6th Dan
3. Cromer School of Wae-Kune-Do
Master Bill Cromer 4th Dan
4. West Karate Inc
Master Troy Fernandez 4th Dan
5. Friends of Christ Wae-Kune-Do
Master Charles Tatum 4th Dan
For more information on Soke Parrish or the Wae-Kune-Do Karate system, please click here.
Currently, Master Parrish runs Wae-Kune-Do Karate as a whole by making sure that students are meeting their goals and black belts are able to obtain the rank needed to continue and carry the art the best way possible, as we all know to earn rank a specific you must be promoted someone with high enough rank within the art. At this current time there are only 5 active WKD schools and they are listed below, each instructor had been promoted by Master within the last 10 yrs.
1. Parrish Academy of Martial Arts
Soke James L. Parrish 9th Dan
2. The Technician Dojo
Steven W. Hatfield 6th Dan
3. Cromer School of Wae-Kune-Do
Master Bill Cromer 4th Dan
4. West Karate Inc
Master Troy Fernandez 4th Dan
5. Friends of Christ Wae-Kune-Do
Master Charles Tatum 4th Dan
For more information on Soke Parrish or the Wae-Kune-Do Karate system, please click here.
