PLIMSHOF Inductee #4
Professor Merlin (Bud) Estes
Deceased
Professor Estes was a student of the late Grandmaster Seishiro Okazaki in the 1930s. He received his 1st dan in 1925 in Los Angeles Californina. He was born October 1st in 1909 in Jacksonhole Wy. He was the oldest sibling among his brothers Ivan, Burl and his sister Pat. Their Parents , James and Olive were migrant workers and most of the children dropped out of school at around the age of 15 to help support the family.
One day while out hunting with his brother Ivan, the shotgun accidentally discharged and Prof Estes was shot in the right forearm. They rushed him to the hospital in their Model-T ford. He spent the next 6 months recovering and had one of the first-ever bone-grafting. Professor Estes grew into manhood and his family were unable to handle the cost of sending him to college . He joined the Salvation Army College in San Francisco and studied to be an officer and was assigned as Captain in what was then known as the Territory of Hawaii. This was in 1929.
While there, he met and started training with Henry Seshiro Okazaki in the Kodenkan system of JuJitsu located at 810 S. Hotel Street in Honolulu, Hawaii.
After 2 years of studying he moved to Chico,Californina in 1939 and started the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy. He and his wife Lucille lived on the Esplanade in Chico. He and His wife taught jujitsu together and did many seminars across the country.
Professor Estes was eventually promoted to Ju-dan 10th degree black belt and was the highest ranking jujitsuka in the USA at that time.
After teaching a seminar in Ithaca New York, Professor Bud Estes passed away on June 7, 1981. His wife died of cancer shortly thereafter.
Professor Estes will live forever in the Hearts, Minds, and Souls of those individuals his great spirit touched.
