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Gallery 3
This slideshow chronicles the years from 1983 when the original Aberdeen Kenpo Karate closed due to Maria Warwick's medical concerns and Clay Micheau opened a school on Heron Street which operated from 1984-1986 to when Mike Skinner Sr. closed down the reboot of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate in 2001.
We literally have thousands of photos from this time frame and it would be impossible to post them all here. They will be changed out from time to time. Also, we are sadly lacking on photos from Pacific Shaolin Kenpo during their years of operation from 1994-2000. Should anyone who reads this have memories they would like to share with the world, please email sifujj@hotmail.com.
Most of the photos are in black and white. We have color copies of most of what is exhibited here. It is far more difficult to colorize a black and white photo than it is to use a newsprint filter on a color photo. If you see these photos elsewhere on the Internet, please do let us know.
Clay Micheau with an amazing display of flexibility. Photo taken about 1984 during which much of Sibok Clay's training was with Steve Curran's International Freestyle Karate.
photo courtesy of Clay Micheau
Clay Micheau spars with Frank Gordon at his studio on Heron Street. This school taught Shaolin Kenpo kata with a heavy focus on tournament competition. The school was open from 1984-1986.
photo courtesy of Clay Micheau
Early photo of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate at 303 W. Market Street. In this photo, Mike Skinner Sr. was the only Black Belt. Others who attained the rank either at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate or Pacific Shaolin Kenpo are listed in red.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Mike Skinner Jr. hiding behind his front kick. How did he do?
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Maria Warwick and Ben Alexander when Maria was a special guest at the Black Belt promotion of Mike Skinner Jr. on 12-23-1992. Please note the three stripes on Maria's belt at the time.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
John Kraft, Mike Skinner Sr., and Sue Messenger were all instructors at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate. This photo was taken prior to the separation of schools in 1994.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Mike Skinner Jr. poses at the final resting place of Bruce Lee. This photo taken in 1994, before heavy foot traffic necessitated that the gravesites of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon be surrounded by protective fencing.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Jr.
Rachael Jacobus, Sifu Sue Messenger, and Gabe Jacobus pose for a family photo in 1994 at one of the many Invitational Tournaments that were frequented by Aberdeen Kenpo Karate.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Sam Kraft, Jennifer Kraft, Cindy Kraft and Sifu John Kraft pose for a family photo at a tournament.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
One of the demonstrations performed on Centre Stage by Aberdeen Kenpo Karate at the South Shore Mall. This demo took place 1993-1994.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Seminar held by Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro in 1995 at the Nordic Inn. In the front row are Joe Barnes Jr. and Mike Skinner Jr., both lifetime practitioners of the Martial Arts.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Clay Micheau and Adam Lin work out at the Nordic Inn during the seminar held by the ISKA in April 1995
photo courtesy of Clay Micheau
Newspaper article from the Daily World on 5-4-1995 detailing promotions granted by the ISKA. Mike Skinner Sr. elected at that time not to join the ISKA based on information contained elsewhere in this website.
photo courtesy of Sue Messenger.
Mike Skinner Sr., Matt Skinner, and Mike Skinner Jr. at a seminar held by GM Larry Tatum in Sea Tac Washington in February of 1995. Larry Tatum is the gentleman with the different patch.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Mike Skinner Sr., Mike Skinner Jr., and Matt Skinner pose for a photo with AC Rainey, one of the highest- ranking American Kenpo Black Belts in Washington and a first-generation Ed Parker Black Belt.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Mike Skinner Sr., Mike Skinner Jr., and Matt Skinner with 8th Degree Black Belt and longtime family friend Russ Kauffroath. Sifu Russ is a Black Belt under Joe Dimmick, a first gen Ed Parker Black Belt whose alias was "Squint Eastwood.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Matt Skinner's unique Graduation photo
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Mark Skinner was not the first Skinner sibling to fight full contact, but he was the first to do it topless…and win a trophy!
Photo courtesy of Mark Skinner
Mike Skinner Sr. with friend and mentor Sitaigung Isidro Archibeque. "Archie" was a dynamic instructor and wealth of knowledge for the instructors and students of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
One of many classes held at Sifu Archibeque's school in Tumwater Washington. What an AWESOME way to spend a Saturday morning!
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
Flyer for the Inaugural Gathering of Eagles held in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999. A virtual "who's who" of Kenpo practitioners of the time. Lower section, 5th column and one up from the bottom shows Mike Skinner Jr. was there. Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Jr.
Mike Skinner Jr. at the Gathering of Eagles in 1999 with Great Grandmaster Rob Castro and the late Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro. Mike Skinner Jr. was the only Shaolin Kenpo participant from Washington State.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Jr.
Mike Skinner Jr. with the late Sijo Adriano Directo Emperado, one of the founding fathers of Kajukenbo. Interesting bit of trivia is that Mike Skinner Jr. was one of two individuals outside Kajukenbo who was a witness when Sifu Al Dacascos respectfully and politely broke away from Kajukenbo.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Jr.
Mike Skinner Jr. with the late Sig Kufferath, one of the founders of
Danzan Ryu Jiujitsu.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Jr.
Mike Skinner Jr. with the late Sifu James Ibrao, one of Ed Parker's first Black Belts and a student of James Wing Woo.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Jr.
Sitaigung Isidro Archibeque with three of the Black Belt Instructors of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate. Mike Skinner Sr., Mike Skinner Jr., and Chuck Caldwell.
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
A new Black Belt is added to the Instructor line to bring in the millennium. 12-29-99. Karen Ellingson, far left joins the group.
Photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr.
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