- Joined
- Oct 9, 2003
- Messages
- 5,594
My teacher, Butch Johnson, passed away this morning at 4:11 am. He had been in a coma for a week after a massive coronary.
He was 54 years old.
Butch survived USMC LRRP life in Vietnam for three years.
He survived Central America in the seventies.
He survived Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome and he was surviving diabetes and some weird form of cancer from Agent Orange.
He had been stationed in Japan for years and met and studied under Hatsumi Sensei during the eighties.
He really only had about five students, including myself. (Not many people stayed after the first "free" class.)
Butch loved life. His passion for life and his love for Soke was undeniable. His enthusiasm and passion for training was so great, it rubbed off on anyone around him.
People got excited just seeing him. I know many in the Bujinkan who got plenty of love and hugs from Butch.
He lived a hard life and survived some very tough times, but he was definitely soft inside. He was a man of warmth and a loving spirit. No matter how much he wanted people to believe he was a cold-hearted warrior, his true nature always shined through. (Sweethearted teddy bear)
Children recognized him instantly as Santa in civilian wear.
I know that the other guys definitely feel that he left us with so many questions unanswered. I am beginning to see what a miracle it is that any martial arts schools have survived.At times, whole schools have literally dwindled to a few individuals.
Butch loved training and he loved his students. I now understand how much we meant to him. I understand how much each class meant to him.
Butch used to kid us after Christmas vacation. He'd say "I was out here waiting for you guys on Christmas morning, but you never showed up. Where's your dedication?"
To show my appreciation for what he did for me, I will redouble my efforts and train even harder and learn as much as I possibly can in what time I have.
Butch used to say that the Bujinkan was his family.
It truly was.
How much time do I have ?
I don't know.
You have to keep going.
He was 54 years old.
Butch survived USMC LRRP life in Vietnam for three years.
He survived Central America in the seventies.
He survived Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome and he was surviving diabetes and some weird form of cancer from Agent Orange.
He had been stationed in Japan for years and met and studied under Hatsumi Sensei during the eighties.
He really only had about five students, including myself. (Not many people stayed after the first "free" class.)
Butch loved life. His passion for life and his love for Soke was undeniable. His enthusiasm and passion for training was so great, it rubbed off on anyone around him.
People got excited just seeing him. I know many in the Bujinkan who got plenty of love and hugs from Butch.
He lived a hard life and survived some very tough times, but he was definitely soft inside. He was a man of warmth and a loving spirit. No matter how much he wanted people to believe he was a cold-hearted warrior, his true nature always shined through. (Sweethearted teddy bear)
Children recognized him instantly as Santa in civilian wear.
I know that the other guys definitely feel that he left us with so many questions unanswered. I am beginning to see what a miracle it is that any martial arts schools have survived.At times, whole schools have literally dwindled to a few individuals.
Butch loved training and he loved his students. I now understand how much we meant to him. I understand how much each class meant to him.
Butch used to kid us after Christmas vacation. He'd say "I was out here waiting for you guys on Christmas morning, but you never showed up. Where's your dedication?"
To show my appreciation for what he did for me, I will redouble my efforts and train even harder and learn as much as I possibly can in what time I have.
Butch used to say that the Bujinkan was his family.
It truly was.
How much time do I have ?
I don't know.
You have to keep going.
That's why we should collect as many good memories as possible. No one ever really dies, they just move up a level or three, or more. And in the next plane time is of no importance. All things that we miss here will be taken care of somewhen.
