| Sensei
John V. Patterson |
 |
Sensei John Patterson was born
in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He was first introduced to the
martial arts at the age of 6. He was enrolled in Judo at
his father's Karate school in
Donelson, TN. In
1961 at the age of 8 he showed an interest in karate so
his father allowed him to start practicing karate. In
those days not many children were practicing karate, it
was almost unheard of. This proved to be very
hard on
Mr. Patterson. His father did not show any preferential
treatment. Promotions came very slow, however, he
finally received his Shodan (1st Degree Black
Belt) at the age of 17.
Throughout the years that followed, highlights in
Patterson Sensei's Wado Ryu career included the late
Grandmaster Otsuka himself promoting him to Go Dan
(5th Degree) during one of his last visits to Nashville,
and his promotion to Shichi Dan (7th Degree) by
his father and the International Federation in 1993.
Mr. Patterson spent the last of his teenage years and
early 20's teaching Wado Ryu at various affiliated
schools, and assisting his father at seminars. In 1980
he enlisted in the United States Navy, subsequently
stationed at N.A.S Cecil Field Florida. He continued his
practice in Wado Ryu, and made frequent trips to
Tennessee for Federation events and business. In 1994,
he was transferred to California, where he would spend
the next two years. In 1996, the Navy transferred
Patterson Sensei to Japan for the next year, where he
was stationed in Atsugi Base. Following his
return to the States, he became the Managing Officer of
the Navy's Aviation Electronics School, remaining in
that position until his retirement as Master Chief Petty
Officer, July 30, 2000.
After his retirement from the U. S. Navy he relocated
back to Nashville, TN to train exclusively with his
father, Sensei C. T. Patterson, President of the USEWF.
He soon became Assistant to the President assisting in
teaching Seminars and handling affairs for the USEWF.
After his father’s sudden death, in October 2002, and
due to his fathers wishes before he died, he became the
second President of the USEWF. It has been his honor to
work toward a unified federation and continuing his
father’s path.
Mr. Patterson has had the privilege to work,
one on one with M. Shiomitsu Sensei and Kazutaka Otsuka
Sensei, Grandson of Wado-Ryu’s founder H. Otsuka. He
also teaches Monthly Black Belt Classes in Columbia and
Hohenwald, TN along with private lessons for a few students several
times a week and conducts seminars throughout the U.S. for affiliated
schools.
Under his direction he is a supporter and believes in
giving back to the community by donating money and time to the Nashville
Public School System, the Dixie Baseball League,
overseas missionaries to help underprivileged children,
clothes and toys for children at Christmas time, and
dinners for the needy during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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