George Howard
August 5, 1955 – October 9, 2006
Grandmaster George Howard began training in Tang Soo Do in 1976 under the watchful eyes of Grand Master Cummings. George earned his first degree Black Belt in June of 1980. After Grand Master Cummings moved out of state GM Howard became the prime Instructor for the Martial Arts Academy in San Angelo, Texas, the schools founded by Grandmaster Cummings. In August 1988 George earned his 4th Dan Black Belt. In 1995 he retired as full time Instructor to begin a career working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was promoted to 7th Dan December 3, 2005.
Rita Guerrero and Grand Master George Howard were married at 10am Monday the 12th of December 2005 on the Tom Green County Court House steps in San Angelo, Texas. J.P. Howard did the ceremonial honors . The new Mrs. Howard family and a few friends were present at the ceremony.
Grand Master Howard was very active in the training of students and black belts at the Martial Arts Academy in San Angelo, Texas until his sudden passing.
Grand Master George’s funeral service was held October 14, 2006. There dozens and dozens of students and blackbelts. This was definitely an arena, which can’t be duplicated again. George never liked the limelight, but he received it with full honors, with family, friends, co-workers, supporters, all his martial students and instructors.
The chapel was not just full, it was standing room only, George was larger than life. Master Ector Troncoso and his Martial Arts Academy paid tribute and honored George as the selfless warrior that he was.