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MASTER MELBERT L. LEE, SR. The first time I saw Melbert, he was in the locker room before a tournament putting on his gi top. It was a sight that made me say a silent prayer that I wouldn't draw him. I also noticed the size of his hands. In those days there were no protective equipment, and bare hands and feet were either an asset or a liability. Luckily I didn't draw him but I had a student (Jim Lindsey) that did. I've mentioned that Jim was tough and fast, but Melbert reached out, scooped him up and treated him like a rag doll. Jim sent a picture of that fight to Melbert not long ago. It shows Melbert carrying Jim under his arm like a loaf of bread. Without that leg and hip problem Melbert had, he would have been in a class all by himself. In many ways Melbert is in a class by himself, especially if you want to use class as a category. He has had to deal with a physical problem in an activity that is sometimes overly demanding in the best of circumstances. He has had to spend time isolated because of his color. Yes, Melbert was well liked and respected, but he was also on occasion the only person of color at a tournament, banquet, board meeting, or social get together. If I could categorize how Melbert delt with everything I would say with dignity. If you can imagine spending time in Isshinryu where you were accepted by some, tolerated by many, and were always the exception; then you can almost put yourself in his place. Then and now he has never achieved anything that he didn’t work for. Some of his Martial arts accomplishments include: Making black belt under Master Long in eighteen months, being the first African-American on the I.I.K.A. board, (he now serves on the board for the second time) the first African-American in the southeast to be promoted to black belt, one of the Original "Karate Five”, Hall of Fame nomination for “Sensei of Sensei’s” two years in a row, and a “Lifetime Achievement” award from the Isshin-ryu Hall of Fame. Melberts Martial Arts background is as solid and versatile as he is. His first discipline is Isshin-ryu. He credits his knowledge to instructors; Harold Long, Cass Cox, Glen Webb, Allen Wheeler, Jim Maples, and Maurice Masarsa. In 1977, he began additional training in Sansues-Rue under Moses Powell, as well as Vee Jutsu, under Master Florendo Vicetacion. In 1977, Melbert, along the rest of the Karate Five group, held the first annual Sansus-ryu tournament . Way ahead of their time Melbert and the Karate Five blazed trails that would take twenty years before others would have the courage to follow. Now it is easy to work other disciplines in with Isshin-ryu (although there are still some people it offends or threatens) but then it took the real courage of your convictions. Conviction is what Melbert is all about. He knows what works. He is man of true Christian faith, active in his church as a deacon and member of a singing group. He is a family man of long standing, having been married to wife, Susie, for thirty-three years, with four children and five grandchildren. His work in his community is second to none. When Melbert talks you should be listening. He has the history, the knowledge and the value system to back it up. A giant of a man, larger than life, who has really left his mark on his family, faith, martial arts, and his many friends. Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan |
