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Master Howard Jackson
1951 - 2006
7th Dan
Pin # 14416
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Born in Detroit, Michigan and the the
oldest of four children, Howard Jackson's early life was a difficult
one. Losing both his parents at an early age and then seeing his two
brothers die violent and tragic deaths, it was up to him and his
sister to survive the hardships together.
In 1967, at age 16, he began studying
Kung Fu. However, he was looking for a martial art that would work
better for him. That turning point came when he saw a demonstration
of Tang Soo Do that led to his meeting Harold Williams. He trained
with Master Williams until his 1st degree Black Belt. In 1970 he
tested before Grandmaster Hwang Kee, along with Chuck Norris who was
testing for 4th Dan.
After joining the Marine Corps, Master
Jackson discovered tournament competition and entered the Four
Seasons Karate Championships in California. Although he was
disqualified for excessive contact, he did catch the eye of Chuck
Norris and Bob Wall and was invited to the Chuck Norris Karate
Studios in Torrance, California. While there he trained with Master
Norris as well as some of the top fighters at the time including Bob
Wall, John Natividad, Darnell Garcia, Bob Burbidge, Aaron Norris and
Pat Johnson.
In 1972-73 he was ranked in the top
10 fighters in the U.S. He earned the nickname "California Flash"
for his speed and ability to quickly close the distance on his
opponents. By 1978 he was ranked 8th in the country.
He was the only two-time Grand Champion of the Battle of Atlanta,
and in 1973 was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as
"Fighter of the Year." In 1974 he was voted as the Black Belt and
Professional Karate Magazines #1 fighter in the U.S.
In addition to
martial arts, Master Jackson also boxed and was ranked # 6 by the
World Boxing Association (WBA). He was the only champion in history
to hold world titles in semi-contact, full contact, kickboxing and
boxing.
In 2002 Master Jackson earned his 7th Dan in Chun Kuk Do, the Chuck
Norris System.
Master Jackson also has film and TV
credits to his name, appearing in Chuck Norris' Delta Force 1 & 2,
Braddock: Missing in Action, Rocky 2 and an episode
of Walker Texas Rangers.
Master Jackson passed away March 7,
2006. He was 55. More information can be found at
www.howardjackson.net.
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