Larry Isaac's​
Martial Arts Center
INSTRUCTORS
Hanshi Larry Isaac
Hanshi Larry Isaac is the proud owner as well as Master Instructor of LIMAC. He is a retired US Marine Seargeant, that served honorably for over 23 years. He has gained reknown throughout the world as one of the foremost Martial Arts instructors and historians.
Hanshi Isaac first put on his gi over 50 years ago and advanced to his black belt in 1968. He trained and studied with FOUR of Okinawa's Great Grandmasters: Sensei Shimabukuro Eizo, Grandmaster Kise Fusei, Grandmaster Odo Seikichi and Grandmaster Nitta Seifuku.
Sensei Claphan
Yon-dan Kenpo
William Claphan resides in Onslow Co. and graduated from South West high school in 1998. He started his path in Martial Arts at the age of eight and has stayed on this path for over twenty years. Wiliam has competed and won events such as: NC Amateur Sports, NC State Games (Karate), and NC Nationals - just to name a few. He has been an instructor in karate since August 1994, when he received his Sho-dan (1st degree black belt) in Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo.
To further his knowledge of the martial arts he has studied the art of Kuntaw, (Pilipino fighting art), Matsukazi Ryu, (Jujitsu), and Kajukenbo. Currently, he is a Yon-dan (4th degree black belt) in Okinawa Kenpo and Kobudo and an instructor of the Okinawa Kenpo Little Tigers under Hanshi Larry Isaac 10th degree Okinawa Kenpo and Kobudo. He also works as the Head instructor of LIMAC's Sneads Ferry location.
Sensei Stolarczyk
Ni-dan Goju Ryu
Ni-dan Genshukan
Ni-dan Gokusai Budoin Remmei
Sensei Jim Stolarczyk began to study the martial arts in 1973 at a Tae Kwon Do dojang in Port Washington, WI. He joined the Marine Corps in 1975, experiencing duty stations nd then in 1978 he wandered by the MCAS Cherry Point Karate Club where he became a student of Tang Soo Do/Moo Duk Kwan under Sensei Jack Hardin. A year later, Sensei Jim was TAD to Lackland AFB where again trained in Tae Kwon Do. He was also introduced to Shotokan karate do at NTC Millington, TN. In 1980, he returned to the Cherry Point Karate Club where he continued to train under Sensei Jack Hardin until 1981.
While in a Unit Deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan he was preparing for his brown belt test in Tang So Do/Moo Duk Kwan. He began trainign with Sensei Dave Brown, Goju Ryu. At this time he also began practicing Seigokan/Genshukan Goju Ryu. During his travels he was given the opportunity to study many forms of martial arts as a student of many great instructors. They include: Fumio Demura in 1983, Dan Ivan from 1984 to 1986, Ray Dalke in 1986 and Jeff Kohn from 1992 to 2004. in 2004, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune where he was accepted into Hanshi Larry Isaac’s dojo to study Okinawa kenpo.
Sensei Jim has won numerous awards, championships and titles throughout his long and fulfilling career in martial arts. He currently holds a Shodan Seigokan Goju Ryu, Nidan Genshukan Goju Kai, Nidan, Kouksai Budoin Remei (IMAF) and a Nidan by WKF. He would like to thank Sensei Bill Hayes, Sensei Haruo Nakahiro, Sensei Shizuya Sato, Sensei Lee Gray, Sensei Chuck Lanza and Sensei Paul Godshaw and many others. Their support and teaching allowed him to accomplish his goals and continue to strive for greatness.
Ms. Erica Smith
Sensei Amelio Mason
Dojo Administrator
Erica Smith began studying Martial Arts at the age of 7. She is holds Go-dan (5th degree black belt) rank in Isshinryu Karate and Go-dan in Buda Kai Jujitsu.
In addition to her work as administrator at the Jacksonville facility, she is also an instructor at the Burlington LIMAC location.
Contact Erica directly at (336) 512-1646
or by email at: limackarate@gmail.com.
Sensei Jones
Sho-dan Kenpo
Mr. Jones began his journey as a an accomplished prep athlete in many disciplines and a karate student. The next progression came after joining the United States Marine Corps in 1986. This added greater exposure to real world combat concepts, and as a Marine, Samuel took advantage of the opportunity to both train in - and explore the cultures of - some of the most prominent martial arts countries and regions as recognized today. This took place in Thailand, the Philippines, South America, Okinawa, as well as locations in the US. Many systems and arts were explored and included jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, Isshin-ryu and Arnis.
Being an active duty serviceman abroad and not committed to any single system Samuel developed as a highly mixed generalist in martial combat. After that ran its course for Samuel, he pledged himself to Isaac's Okinawan Kenpo and Kobudo in 2005 and currently holds the rank of sho-dan.
Go-dan Kenpo
Sensei Mason was born in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone and his karate careeer began in
1969, when he started taking Shotokan Karate at the age of 7. Then in 1974, he began Kuroshi-do Karate under Sensei Kumisan (Spider) at PAL Howard housing in Brooklyn, NY.
In 1982, he joined the US Marine Corps and while stationed in 29 Palms, CA he began training Kempo Karate under 1st Sgt. Chris Dixon. Two years later, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan he trained in Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobodo Kenburyu under Seijiro Maehara O’Sensei.
Sensei Mason was promoted to the rank of IK-Kyu #3 by Maehara O’Sensei in 1985. Maehara O'Sensei promoted him again in 1988 to the rank of Shodan. Later in the same year, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC where he continued to study Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kenburyu with Sensei Clarence Rasberry.
He also trained with Sensei Don Holts in Shobudo Jujitsu beginning in 2000 and in July 2004, Mason was promoted to the rank of Shodan. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2005, but his passion for Martial Arts remained. Additionally in 2000, he continued his training Okinawa Kenpo Karate with Grand Master Larry Isaac. He currently holds the rank of Godan.
Sensei Nelson
Ni-dan Kenpo
David Nelson was born in Boston and has studied martial arts since the young age of 8. During his career he has attended many tournaments and won serval Grand Championships - including middle weight Beast of the East and the 2015 IKF middle weight championship. He is currently ni-dan rank (2nd degree black belt) in Okinawa kempo karate. He is also currently in college studying fitness science.
Martial arts have taught Mr. Nelson a lot over the years. He has learned both leadership and self-discipline, as well as gained the confidence that he can overcome any obstacle he faces. His goal is to share this knowledge with others, teaching loyalty and commitment. If you can dream it you can capture it and if you can think it then you can accomplish it.
Guest Instructor:
T.D. Gribble
Roku-dan Isshinryu
Anthony David "T.D." Gribble tested for his 6th degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate (the one heart way) in 2009. He has been training in the martial arts since 1977, beginning his study of karate in Goju Shorin under Sensei Joe Dionne. Then at the age of 8, in 1981, he began the study of Isshinryu under the tutelage of his father, Tony Gribble (Ni-dan), and the instruction of Don Bohan (Ku-dan). He continued to train in Isshinryu after Master Bohan's death in 1998. Under the guidance of Hanshi Larry Isaac (Ju-dan,) T.D. is also studying Okinawan Kenpo/Kobudo, life protection arts.
T.D. is active in the martial arts programs at ECU and in the community. He is the advisor to the Isshinryu Karate Club (established in 1993) and the tournament director to the ECU martial arts fundraising tournament. The tournament has grown from 70 competitors to 135 and brings in more than $3,500 profit for the clubs anually. T.D. travels throughout the mid-Atlantic states volunteering at tournaments and seminars.
