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Terry Dukes the Teacher
As the telephone rings, I wonder who it can be. Sadly, it is someone to tell me that the person that helped to lay the foundations of how I have succeeded in my life has passed away. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up has if he just passed by me, I feel a deep sense of emotion.
Terry Dukes, was a genius in his own right, he could impress the most academic of minds into training in martial arts. I first knew him as a child, because we were practically neighbours. His passion for the oriental way of life was second to none, and he is responsible for my dedication to the art which started 40 years ago and is still active today.
I wish I could have been there to say goodbye to him, but I missed the opportunity. However we are here together to wish him farewell, and that we will meet again in our next life, where we can talk about the old times.
Terry was a person, that believed in research, development and tradition. Not all people would share his view, but from what he said people would feed off his idea’s, and transmit their own interpretation to gain recognition in the martial arts world.
I had the good fortune of knowing all his family, and growing up with them, they were always welcoming to me, and I have never forgot that, so when Terry requested me to be at his funeral service, I considered it a great honour, that he should remember me.
God bless you Terry for what you did for me and may you find what you have been looking for in your next life.
George Andrews Webmasters input, please visit this link to see a photo of Sensei George Andrews with his first teacher. The photo captioned as 'Instructor & pupil training in meditational Kata at a Buddhist seminar' shows Sensei Andrews (right) with Terry Dukes.
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