Ken Eubanks Passes away

[karatevideoguy]

Longtime martial artist, tournament promoter and friend to many, Ken Eubanks, passed away in the afternoon of January 3, 2006 of a heart attack. Mr. Eubanks has been involved in the martial arts since 1961. He was the owner of Olympic Karate in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the head of the Regional Sport Karate Circuit (RSKC) and the promoter of the Bluegrass Nationals - one of the largest and most prestigious NASKA world events held each year. Mr. Eubanks' generosity and dedication to the martial arts was legendary. He was known for driving across the country to support his friends in the martial arts, regardless of league affiliation. Out of the goodness of his heart, Mr. Eubanks hosted the NASKA awards banquet at his event every year and he was always quick with a smile or hug for his friends and family in the martial arts. He will be dearly missed by all who had the luck to know him. He was 62 years old and would have turned 63 on January 8, 2006.

Everyone here at Black and Blue Video will miss Ken. He was a great person and friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. The man always had a smile for you and a funny story to tell. This is truly a sad day for all of the martial arts.

Wally Faulkner

Lee Barden

Connie Barden

Ken Eubanks' memorial service will be held at (and flowers may be sent to):

JC Kirby & Son

820 Lovers Lane

Bowling Green, KY 42103

(270) 843-3111

http://www.jckirbyandson.com/

Visitation: Thursday, January 5 from 1pm to 8pm

Memorial Service: Friday, January 6 at 2pm

Cards may be sent to:

Eubanks Family

2981 KY 185

Bowling Green, KY 42101

[NASKA]

Ken was my old Instructor from 1991-1994 and was the Best Instructor I had ever met. My heart goes out to his wife Kim as well as his son and an old friend of mine Marty Eubanks.

Ken will be deeply missed by the Martial Arts community.

Bernie S.

Indianapolis IN

[Rick31571]

My name is Rick I received my Black Belt on Nov.4, 2001

Placed upon my chest, next to my heart...

An image.... The O.K.S. Fist

As a sign of my accomplishment

Now more than ever it clinches tight with the pride

Of being a Eubanks Black Belt

Sensei Ken...Chief

Success in life is measured by the number of hearts you touch.

His Hands were big enough to touch hearts all across the world.

Tears adorn our face, as we’ve found a hole in our soul.

A hole that was filled with security, and comfort knowing he would be there.

Knowing if we needed an opinion, or a helping hand he would be there.

We would prefer that our bones ache with pain from a demonstration; than a heart of sorrow and grief.

Now his soul is at peace, his heart does not beat, and tears adorn our face.

We will not forget the man who was a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, a father

A father to us all.

Our memories of him,

Our hearts he’s touched

His Success.

[2ndBBLittle]

I had the great pleasure to be really good friends with Mr. Ken Eubanks aka Chief to all of his students. I didn't get to go to the funeral, however my dad did. If you happened to go, maybe you know my dad.. his name is Tim Little. Anyways, I feel bad for not going to his funeral since he always went out of his way to help everyone around him. He was always there for his karate family. Without him, sport karate would not even be close to where it is. I'll miss seeing him at BlueGrass, Bowling Green, and at all of the RSKC and NASKA tournaments that he attended. I also would like anyone who reads this and believes in God to pray for his family. Mrs. Kim, Marty, his step-son B.T. Webb, and B.T.'s little sister. I hope that they can work through this, and maintain being the awesome family that they are. Anybody involved in NASKA or RSKC will agree that with Mr. Eubanks gone, it just won't be the same. My prayers go out to his family and his other family. His karate family.

[superdavy89]

I know this is a long closed post, but felt as if I needed to post this. I started at Eubanks at the age of 5, 1994. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was there until I was 15, approximately 10 years before I moved away. Sadly to say, I achieved my black belt at the age of 14, due to some financial problems the last few years of my time there. Ken Eubanks was a great man, and he taught me many things. I didn't learn until last year that he had passed away. Being as how Noone I currently know has any idea who he was, I've yet to have any closure on the matter. Sorry this seems dragged out, but I had to get it out there.