Professor Francis Merlin 'Bud' Estes

     Professor Merlin Francis "Bud" Estes was a student of the late Grandmaster Seishiro Okazaki in the 1930s. He received his shodan in 1925 in Los Angeles.
     Born on October 1, 1909 in Jacksonhole, Wyoming, Francis Merlin "Bud" Estes was the oldest sibling among his brothers Ivan, Burl and his sister Pat. Their parents, James and Olive were migrant workers and most of the children dropped out of school at around age 15 to help support the family. (His brother Burl did go on to graduate from high school at age 21 and had attended 17 different schools.) In the early 1920's the family was snowed in while living in a tent in Kansas and had to spend the entire winter there. This was a pivotal experience for the brothers.
     While out hunting with his brother Ivan, their shotgun accidentally discharged and hit Professor Estes in the right forearm. The injury was severe and took out much of the muscle and bone in his wrist and forearm. Ivan immediately drove Professor Estes to the hospital in his Model-T Ford. Spending nearly six months in the hospital recovering from the wound and a new surgical technique called "bone grafting", Professor Estes grew into manhood. His family moved to Los Angeles, where he studied Judo and earned a Black Belt. As the family was unable to cover the costs of his attending college Professor Estes entered the Salvation Army College in San Francisco, studied to be an officer and was assigned as a Captain to a group in Honolulu, in what was then Territory of Hawaii.
     While walking down the streets of Honolulu one evening, Professor Estes observed several young toughs attacking what seemed to be an old Japanese gentleman. Believing in his skills and thinking he should equalize the situation he took on one of the toughs, but found the rest were taken down easily by the old man. Upon witnessing the quick and easy manner this Japanese introduced a "new discipline" to his attackers, young Professor Estes laid aside his black belt, and entered the school where the Japanese American gentleman taught, the Kodenkan, located at 810 S. Hotel Street; Honolulu, Hawaii.
     After approximately two years of deep, concentrated study and training, Professor Estes moved to Chico, California, in 1939, and started the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy. He and his wife Lucille (Lukie) lived on the Esplanade in Chico. His wife also taught Jujitsu in Chico. They also taught seminars across the country.
     Professor Estes was eventually raised to Judan (Tenth Degree Black Belt), which was the highest rank in Jujitsu in the United States at the time. After teaching a seminar in Ithaca, NY Professor Bud Estes passed away on June 7, 1981. His wife succumbed to cancer shortly thereafter.
     Professor Estes still lives today in the hearts, minds and souls of those individuals his great spirit touched so profoundly!
     Used with permission of George Arrington and The Danzan-Ryu Jujutsu Homepage (www.danzan.com)