Grandmaster Raymond V. "Duke" Moore

     February 25, in Sacramento, Raymond V. "Duke" Moore, entered into rest. Known across the United States as well as the world in martial arts circles. Duke was a gentleman as well as a gentle-man. Duke was born April 19, 1915 in San Francisco to Chester H. and Antoinet Moore. Preceded in death by his wife Vera and his brothers, Donald and Richard Moore. Duke is survived by his companion of the last seven years Olga Compton, and her children as well as his nephew Dennis Moore, his nieces Joyce Tullos and Pamela Moore, and a cousin Richard Cable. Duke also leaves behind "a thousand children" whom he has taught the martial arts.
     Duke was a graduate of Polytechnic High Class of 1933. Duke served in the CCC's and was also a veteran of the US Army from February of 1941 to November 1941 when he received a medical discharge due to ulcers.
     Duke was a cofounder and the last living cofounder of The American Judo & Jujitsu Federation in 1948. Duke resigned in 1950 over policy matters. Duke also developed his own Zen Budokai System of martial arts by 1960. Duke had four dojo's in San Francisco, two simultaneously. The most well know was at 1819 Market Street. Duke taught self defense at College of Marin, San Francisco City Collage, US Marine Reserves in Marin county and Stanford University where he retired in 1980.
     The following took place in Chinatown, San Francisco, California.
     "On October 25, 1980, (at an awards dinner), The Zen Budo Society awarded Raymond V. 'Duke' Moore the rank of 10th Dan. He was given a certificate which reads as follows: "Whereas he has mastered, taught and demonstrated in his life and work the philosophical truths and spiritual forces of Aiki and Budo; and in recognition of his being a Master Sensei and practitioner of over forty-five years experience in the martial art of Aiki Jujitsu, the Zen Budokai hereby awards to its founder Duke Moore the title, rank and honor of hanshi-judan (10th degree)".
     The American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts was founded in 1981, in San Francisco, California, by Raymond "Duke" Moore, Judan. It's history is best expressed by its founder: "Paradoxically, it became a viable organization only because of an 'afterthought'. The original plan was to expand Zen Budokai, a credentialing organization founded by me in 1960. Its purpose was to promote members of the top ten blackbelters to the ranks of Masters and Professors…
     Duke's Sensei's were Professor Ray Law (JuJitsu), George Yoshida and Mits Kimura (Judo), Kiyose Nakae (Jujitsu), Masutatsu Oyama, Hidetake Nishiyama and Richard Kim (Karate). "In 1990 the Ken Studies Institute of Calabasas conferred upon Duke an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree for his many humanitarian accomplishments and publications.
Dukes books include the following": Many of which have changed titles.
- Holistic Meditation: A matter of survival
- Last of the Buddha's
- The Tigress of Holy City
- The Prize Fighter and the Shrink
- Zen... The First Martial Art
- The Fighting Spirit of Zen
     "Duke's strong points were randori, teaching and organizational skills. Pound for pound I don't think Duke had an equal. He was a great teacher as evidenced by the number of black belt students he produced and was greatly respected in his skills to set up harmonious and fair Martial Arts organizations". Delmo M. Esposti
      For the last six plus years Duke was studying under a new Master, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His favorite author was Ellen G. White.

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