Valdosta Martial Artist Passes Away
February 14, 2007 by Sensei
O-Sensei Hardeman passed away Monday, February 12, 2007, from a cardiac-arrest at his home. He is survived by his wife Schondra Hardeman, 3 sons, Davey Hardeman, Daniel Hardeman and Nigel Hardeman, and 2 daughters, Ashley Hardeman, and Sara Hardeman. His system of martial arts is survived by various black belts and former students who
continue to teach and train in the principles and concepts of Isgoshin-do.Thomas Howard Hardeman was born in Jacksonville, Fl, in 1952. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and began his study of the martial arts from then on. While stationed at Marine Logistics Base Albany, GA. He trained under Sensei Michael Baer and was able to earn Sho-dan black belt in Okinawa Isshin-ryu Karate. While stationed in Okinawa Japan, O-Sensei Hardeman trained in Okinawa Goju-ryu under the teachings of Gosei Yamaguchi, the son of the late Gogen Yamaguchi and founder of Japanese Goju-ryu and student of Chosen Miyagi the founder of Okinawa Goju-ryu and was able to be awarded the rank of Ni-dan black belt. Hardeman served his country for 8 years and left the service with the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6). He discharged from the Marines at Camp Lejeune Jacksonville, NC. During his stay in Jacksonville, he met and trained with the late Master Donald Bohan, and achieved the rank of Go-dan black belt in Okinawa Isshin-ryu as taught by the founder O-Sensei Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Moving from North Carolina to Georgia, Hardeman began training with Sensei Richard Belargian. “Mr. B,” helped Sensei Hardeman to develop through the training and techniques taught over the years to develop the art known as Isgoshin-do. Sensei Belargian in 1971 helped with the promotion along with the recommendation of Sensei Don Bohan to promote Thomas H. Hardeman to the title of “O-Sensei” or founder of Isgoshin-do and acknowledged that it was worthy of becoming a true Okinawan Karate form. O-Sensei Hardeman was promoted to the level of Haichi-dan and has been teaching and promoting students who have been recognized throughout the U.S.A. O-Sensei Hardeman was a member of the WKA (World Karate Association) IOKA (Isgoshin-do Okinawa-te Karate-do Association) OBA (Okinawa Budo-kai Association).
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My deepest condolences to the family of O-Sensei Hardeman. May the love of your family and friends help you in this time of loss. Men like Howard hardman are a very hard find. Semper Fidelis Howard. Sincerly Yours, Kermit F. Purvis
O’Sensi Hardeman was like a father to me.He had a great passion for his art.He was a very caring person,and cared about people.We had a deep bond that couldn’t be broken.I will miss U,but will never forget you.REST IN PEASE O’SENSI HARDEMAN!!!!!
its hard to find the words to describe a man as great as o-sensei hardaman. he will be greatly missed and always rememberd in the hearts of his students and family. the teachings he instilled in me , will always have a positive influence in my life and i know for sure that this will never change .
he helped me more than he will ever know,i only wish i could say thank you one more time .
in loving memory we miss you .
sincerly
randy jones and
the tucker family
This is O-Sensei Thomas Hardeman’s daughter. I just want to thank all of you for the comments. My dad was a wonderful Karate instructor and a even better man. I always respected my dad for being such a good mentor for all his students. Oh and to update everybody we are now in Greenwod,SC. The family is great. The school is good. my grades are wonderful. Mom got a good job at a seed company. My life is starting to move further, because that’s what dad or sensei would want. well bye I’m at school so you know bye.
I will aways miss sensi Hardeman .He realy cared about his students.He worked hard to help
his students learn.He will always be with me and I’ll never forget him. My prayers go out to
his family .
I trained under Sensei Hardeman back in the early 80′s when his dojo was at the YMCA. I recently did a search under his name to see if he was still in the area and learned of his death, of which I was deeply saddened.
I studied under him for 14 years. He still walks with me today. A true master. A man among men.
Its not often that a man of 40 has people who have been following there careers from from there youth. I was fortunate to run into Sensei I hadn’t seen him in years. I had all ways looked up to many traditional martial artist my list is short, yet he is one of them. He will always be with us.
To his family Peace be with you.
Sensei was a father to me, and taught me many things. He was very intelligent, wise, and experienced. He was the greatest martial artist I have ever known, and had a deep understanding of it on all levels. His words and teachings will be with me the rest of my life. God bless his family; I miss you guys.