Hanshi Phillip R. Furgason

Hanshi Phillip R. Furgason began his interest in martial arts at the Pine Bluff Boys Club as a young child in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

• USMC 1973 - 1979
  
• Started Isshinryu March, 1975 under O-Sensei Kichiro Shimabuku, Camp Hansen, Okinawa - joined IWKA when it was about 7 months in existence.
  
• Promoted Roku-Dan 1987
• Promoted Shichi-Dan 1995
• Graduated (Cum Laude) BS International Business Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, New Hampshire 1995
• MBA, Management, Southern Christian 1996
• South Texas College of Law 1996 - 1998
• Owner and Chief Instructor of Furgason School of Isshinryu Karate - Houston, Texas
  
• United Isshinryu Council
• Founded American Isshinryu Karate Association 1998
• Works for Children’s Protective Services as a CPS Investigative Supervisor
• Don Nagle's AOKA Hall of Fame Golden Life Award, 2000
• Founded Karate Arts Training Association (KATA) - non profit - open to all styles 2001
  
• Don Nagle's AOKA Board of Directors. 2001
  
• Promoted to 8th Dan by Grandmaster Ed McGrath September 2001
  
• Dragon Man Award, March 2003
  
• Don Nagle's AOKA Hall of Fame, Master Instructor of the Year, September 2004
  
• PhD. International Economic Development, Southern Christian 2006

• Promoted to 9th Degree black belt by Grandmaster William Washington, September 22, 2007
  
• Promoted to 9th Degree black belt by Grandmaster Ed McGrath, September 22, 2007

  I have been remiss in listing awards and will update this page shortly.