About Us My Instructors Master Joe Smith 9th Dan Isshin-Ryu Karate (Jo-Jo's Dojo) 1st Generation Black Belt Under Grandmaster Shimabuku Joseph Lewis Smith was born in 1944 in the small town of Wesson, Mississippi. He was the son of a Baptist Minister and one of 11 children. By the time he was in high school Joe and his family had moved to the friendly community of Gibson City, Illinois. Joe was very athletic and played basketball, baseball, track and was the captain of the 1963 championship football team. After graduating in 1963, Joe enlisted in the military. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division stationed at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. From 1963 to 1965 Joe studied Isshin-Ryu under Grandmaster Shimabuku at the Agena Dojo. He was promoted to Sho-Dan by the Grandmaster. After re-enlisting, Joe was assigned to the HMM265th Division in Viet Nam. While there he studied under Master Don Bohan. Joe was promoted to Ni-Dan by Master Bohan before leaving Viet Nam. Joe was honorably discharged in 1967 and returned to Champaign, Illinois. He continued to practice Isshin-Ryu and in 1978 founded the first Isshin-Ryu Karate class in Central Illinois. Master Smith was a retired twenty year veteran of the Champaign Police force, the Training Manager and head of the Control Tactics Division of the Police Training Institute, University of Illinois. He also served on the original Board of the Okinawan Karate Do Union. Master Smith was promoted to 9th degree Black Belt by the Okinawan Karate-Do Union on June 16, 2001. Master Smith passed away from a rare heart condition on June 19, 2001. In memory of Master Joseph L. Smith March 21, 1944 - June 19, 2001 - He Was Truly A Sensei - 1 in 10,000 - -- My Teacher, Friend and Mentor -- Develop Devastating Punches Like The Masters! You Can Dramatically Increase The Power Of Your Punches! Maki-Pro System Makiwara Click Here For More Information     Back to About Us Master Joe Smith Master Dan Jones Master Sherm Harrill Top of Page Home | About Us | What's New | Products | Isshin-Ryu Karate | Self Defense | Control Tactics | Isshin-Ryu History | Links | Contact Us | Site Index Guardian Dragon Dojo 602 S. Ridgeway Ave. • Champaign, IL 61821 217-355-5676 sholy@guardiandragon.com www.GuardianDragon.com Webmaster Site Development: Guardian Dragon Web