Tim R. Vought, Sensei

Born and raised in South Louisiana, Tim R. Vought, Sensei, founder and chief instructor of the art of Shorin AikiBudo, began his practice of martial ars in 1959, while a student at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

 

In 1962, Vought moved to Texas and continue his practice, beginning one of, if not the first, martial arts groups at what was then East Texas State University (now, Texas A&M University) in Commerce, Texas.  On weekends he would travel to Dallas to study judo and trained at the university during the week.

In 1965, after moving to Dallas, Vought began to train in Shorin Ryu karate under Mr. Johnny Nash.  Eventually Mr. Nash turned the dojo over to Mr. Keith See, who had also studied under Mr. Ed Parker.  Eventually Mr. See turned the dojo over to Mr. Ed Daniel.  Mr. Daniel moved the dojo from Samuel Grand Recreation Center back to its original location at 2010 Commerce Street, in downtown Dallas.  It was here that Mr. Nash, several years earlier, had opened what many say was the first karate dojo ever opened in Dallas.

 

Vought joined the Dallas Police Department in 1970 and remained there until retiring in 1990.  In 1972, he won the National Police Olympics Heavyweight Karate Championship.  In 1974, he co-founded and served as the first president of the Texas Police Athletic Federation, an organization dedicated to promoting athletics and comradeship among local, state, national, and international law enforcement personnel.  Since conducting its first games in 1977, the organization has continued to grow.  In 1998, Texas Police Athletic Federation hosted the World Police Games in Dallas, with over 3600 contestants, representing five nations, competing for awards.  Sensei Vought served as Head Official for the Karate competition.  In the early and mid 1970s, while an instructor at the Dallas Police Academy, Vought developed and taught the Department’s first comprehensive physical fitness and defensive tactics program for recruit officers.  This program, though modified to meet contemporary standards, continues into the new millennium.

 

In 1969, ten years from his first martial arts lesson, Vought was awarded his Shodan (1st degree Black Belt).  At the time of his induction into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Vought, Sensei is ranked at 8th degree Black Belt in Shorin AikiBudo under the American Karate Black Belt Association - Chin Sook Hage Kwan, 6th degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu under Grand Master Ed Daniel, 1st degree Black Belt in Aikido under Jiyushinkai, is a licensed Master Instructor, and has been recognized as Shihan by four international martial arts organizations.  He is credited as having developed the martial arts system of Shorin AikiBudo and serves on the High Dan Board of the American Karate Black Belt Association - Chin Sook Hage Kwan.

 

Vought, Sensei remains the perpetual student and, in addition to those arts previously stated, continues his studyof tai chik, iaido, batto jutsu and several other forms of kobudo.

HALL OF FAME