Rest in Peace Larry Hartsell

[Dean Lessei]

I am shocked and sad to hear the news of the passing of Sifu Hartsell. I was fortunate to have been able to train with him in the late 80's and early 90's and served as his asssistant in many seminars around the midwest during that time. He was a great martial artist and a true pioneer in the grappling arts. I will always treasure the knowledge he shared. My deepest condolences to Debra for her loss as well as to Guro Inosanto and the rest of the JKD family that has lost a mentor, friend and brother. JAH bless the spirit of Sifu Hartsell and welcome him into heaven.

[tel]

R.I.P sifu hartsell

[Jujujason]

I was shocked to hear of sifu Larry's passing last night while training at the academy. So much so that I couldn't continue training. Though I only had the opportunity to train with sifu Larry through two seminars and one private lesson, his books, videos and all the magazine articles written by and about him had a lasting impact on me. Sifu Larry was doing and advocating grappling when grappling wasn't cool. His passing will leave a void in the martial arts community that won't soon be filled. God bless him and his family & friends.

[Guest]

A Warrior and a Gentleman. Our love and respects to his family, and of course his closest friend, Guro Dan.

Rest In Peace Sifu Hartsell.

[JBolton]

In Memorium

Larry Benjamin Hartsell August 15, 1942 - August 20, 2007

From the Bahala Na Martial Arts Association:

For over 40 years Larry Hartsell filled people's lives with love and laughter. His loyalty and dedication to his family, teacher, students and friends was
unparalleled.

A true warrior, Larry served his country as a soldier in Vietnam and
served the martial art community for over 4 decades.

The martial art community has lost a true master. We have lost a dear
friend, but gained so much more by having had Larry in our lives.

Of all that he loved in this life, the martial arts, his students,
friends and boxer dogs, he loved his wife Debra most of all.

He will be missed.

From the Inosanto Academy:

Larry Hartsell is considered to be among the premier Jeet Kune Do fighters in the world. Larry began his martial arts training by studying Judo in North Carolina from 1957 - 1960. He then moved to California, and for the next four decades, studied exclusively with his mentor and personal friend, Guro Dan Inosanto.

During the 1960's, Guro Dan Inosanto introduced Hartsell to the famed Edmond Parker, Sr., and began his studies in Kenpo Karate. Shortly after receiving his black belt in Kenpo, he went into the army and served in Vietnam from 1966 - 1967. After his discharge, Hartsell returned to California, at which time, Guro Dan Inosanto introduced him to Si Gung Bruce Lee. Hartsell is an original student and member of the Los Angeles Chinatown Group founded by Si Gung Bruce Lee, for which Guro Dan Inosanto was the head instructor. Hartsell was also accepted as a private student of Bruce Lee's, and trained privately at his home in Bel Air, California.

Larry Hartsell's background and knowledge is not merely speculative. Over the past 40 years, he served in the following capacities: as military policeman in the jungles of Vietnam; on glamorous movie sets as a bodyguard to celebrities; "bouncing" in redneck bars in his native North Carolina, and in the august halls of justice. Hartsell states, "The experiences I've had in dealing with resisting criminals, crazies or drunks have only reinforced in me a gratitude for my instructors, initially Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto, who encouraged me to specialize in grappling techniques."

As a long time practitioner of the martial arts - most notably Jeet Kune Do - Hartsell was one of the first in the United States to embrace and train in Shoot Wrestling when it was introduced at the Inosanto Academy. Hartsell has always been open-minded and eager to learn. Guro Dan states, "Larry has often joined me in training and researching systems, such as Indonesian Pencak Silat, Thai Boxing, and the Filipino Martial Arts. Over the years, Larry modified his fighting structure and geared his training more toward the arts of grappling and submission. Combining his knowledge in the arts of grappling and submission with his skill in the trapping and striking arts, Larry has taken his art to a new dimension.

Guro Dan states, "Larry is one of the few martial artists who has always been open-minded and known the benefits of cross-training. Knowing the importance roll-conditioning and physical fitness play in the complex game of survival in the martial arts, Larry incorporates the proven methods of the past alongside the cutting edge techniques of the future."

Larry Hartsell is the Founder/Chief Instructor of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association (www.jkdassoc.com) and conducts seminars world wide. When not on the road travelling, he accepts a handful of private students, and is a Full Senior Instructor at the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts.

Survived by his loving, devoted wife Debra Hartsell, Marina del Rey, CA
Brother, Dale Hartsell and sister Cheryl Hartsell Charlotte, NC
And Simon Dempsey & Chelsea Hartsell (faithful boxer dogs)

Condolences & donations may be sent to the family in care of the
Inosanto Academy, 13428 Maxella Avenue, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

In accordance with the Hartsell family's wishes, funeral services will be private. Further information will be posted at

https://www.inosanto.com

A poem by David Harkins:

You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open
your eyes and see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full
of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be
happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his
memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what he'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

[jeff5]

Very very shocked and saddened to hear this. My condolences to all of Sifu Larry's family and friends.

[wsdddoa012]

response

My thoughts and prayers go out to Larry's family, once again the world lost a good martial artist and friend.

[CheukMo]

I cannot believe this great man and sifu has died. I recently discussed the straight lead with him on another forum. His passing is a great loss to Jeet Kune Do, to Martial Arts and to the world.

[Tim Mousel]

A message from Rick Faye

A message from Rick Faye:

To my students, friends and all those connected to MKG in some way, I would like to take a few moments to honor my Teacher, friend and traveling companion: Sifu Larry Hartsell

For those of you who haven't heard, Sifu passed away on August 20th. Although we are all sad for our loss of this leader, teacher and friend, I would like to take a moment to remember some of the great times and important contributions he made to the JKD family and to me personally. I met Sifu Hartsell at the California Martial arts Camp in Irvine CA. I believe the year was 1982. His classes were fun and full of simple, effective drills. The concentration then was on Boxing and takedowns into holds (painful holds!!)

Sifu Hartsell became a regular at the original Kali Group (Washington Ave. School). He always stayed at the house with us and my memories of those days are great ones. I'm sure he would remember the haunted house incident, the BBQ's and of course the long talks over a couple beers. Sifu invited me overseas with him in 1984. We covered England, Scotland, Germany and Spain on a trip that lasted over 6 weeks. The learning experience was unbelievable. I remember wondering what was in the big green canvas bag (his from the military) only to find out he had brought dumb bells along!! I did my best to stay with it and he was very patient with me. Traveling with a rookie must have been tedious, We traveled many times over the next few years and it was a great experience each time. Sifu Inosanto said I was "paying my dues" . In truth I was being given the best of experiences and an introduction into a carrier. Through his contacts and encouragement I was able to start traveling on my own, eventually building a network and brining my family to many places around the world. Sifu Hartsell put so much time and effort into the promotion of this art. It is hard to overstate his contribution to the JKD family. He put in the miles, slept on couches and got paid much less than he was worth, all to promote this art. His loyalty and Respect for Sifu Inosanto has always served as a great example for all of us to follow. He really knew and appreciated what this art had to offer. He touched the lives of thousands of students. I will miss his smile, his soft spoken southern delivery, the long nights with many beers, the painful locks, the easy to understand advice, the simple but effective drills. Mostly I will just miss my teacher and friend.

For those of you who are new here, we at the Kali Group were the first to put my favorite Larry Hartsell quote on a t-shirt. He said "Don't mistake kindness for weakness" He lived that motto. We will be printing another round of those shirts soon. Please wear them with Sifu Hartsell in mind. He was a great man, I will miss him.

Until we meet again Sifu, Rest in peace.

Rick Faye

[IKS-D]

R.I.P. Sifu Hartsell
Long time ago I learned a lot from his books, he was a true martial arts pioneer.

[bjmkfcg]

Rest in peace Larry Hartsell, condolences to family , friends and students.