I am sincerely sorry to hear that Butch Johnson passed away in the early morning hours. I saw him about two weeks ago and he looked so happy and energized.
He will be missed.
Thom Humphreys
I am sincerely sorry to hear that Butch Johnson passed away in the early morning hours. I saw him about two weeks ago and he looked so happy and energized.
He will be missed.
Thom Humphreys
My condolences to Butchs' family and friends. I met him in Japan when Hatsumi Sensei painted him a Demon in his likeness (big belly) and he added a big penis to the picture.
He also talked about this guy named Osama Bin Laden, and said that the U.S. was going to see retaliation from this man and it would be difficult to catch him because of the training he received from the U.S. military...this was months before the attack on the World Trade Center (9/11).
He will never be forgoten
May he rest in peace
Hi mark
you got me here
what has Osama Bin Laden got to do with Butch dying.
Paul Richardson - Shidoshi
Bujinkan Lincoln Dojo
Hello To All,
I knew Butch San from way back.. a good 10 years or so .. through seminars and Tai Kai. We would have some really good spirited discussions about everything Budo. I had bought a shirt from him back at the 90 Tai Kai (I think it was 90.. Atlanta.. year of the blue tai kai shirts). I had given him the money and forgot to pick up my shirt. I saw him again in 94 or 95.. and without a second thought, Butch came up and gave me the shirt I forgot to get years back. As he said Hi, he handed me the shirt. I had completely forgotten about it. Butch's spirit was remarkable. We always had something to talk about.
With Regards,
Brian Tritico
Bellaire Dojo
Houston Texas
Hi Paul,
Nothing really. I just remember him talking about this prior to 9/11 and at the time I didn't think much of what he was saying, but after the incident in September, I realized what he had said had come to pass...so I was just relating a memory of Butch.what has Osama Bin Laden got to do with Butch dying.
If I have offended anyone, I apologize
Take care,
Hi mark
you havent offended any one at all, I didnt see the connection, now I do.
Paul Richardson - Shidoshi
Bujinkan Lincoln Dojo
The first time I saw Butch I thought that he was a biker or serial killer. He just had that look like he'd as soon kill you as look at you. If you ever got the chance to hear some of his stories and adventures he had, you came away feeling even more intimidated. I wasn't surprised to find out that his nick name used to be "Godzilla". The truth is, Butch was a real softy on the inside and I think he was afraid others would find out.
He didn't really care much about politics within any org. He befriended me even though I was (gasp) Genbukan. I crossed trained with him briefly and got to know him as a regular joe with some irregular experiences and interests. Butch told it like it was and was more than willing to back up what he thought with painful proof (heh heh). I'm about 200lbs yet Butch once flipped me with a shishinken (pinky finger strike) to my neck. I still haven't figured that one out. Then let's not forget about his claim to be able to evade anyone's punch without moving. Even though I understand how this trick is done now, it still amazed me the first time I saw him do it. Butch made some pretty amazing claims and told some pretty wild tales. His character was nothing if not colorful. He was really dedicated to his students and his art. In the end the knowledge and experiences that he shared can never be taken away. They too like his spirirt will live on.
P.S. I have some video of Butch if any one is interested. He once told me that he had the nasty habit of disrupting video signals and that few people were ever able to video tape him. the funny
thing is, 3 out of 4 occasions this was true. I had some unexplained malfunctions that went away as soon as I was out of sight of Butch. Go figure.
Greg Caplinger
Gekka Dojo
GWBNF/KJJR
"Shin-gi-tai-ichi"
While Butch trained under me during 1989 to 1993 he was the junior of Eddie Moore, Don Smith, Andre Vaguine, Larry Graham, Steve Lefebvre, Andrew Tate and Brian Komen.
I'm sure if you want stories about his past training before me and during this time you could ask these guys who were his seniors during training with them.
Steve Lefebvre was the only guy to remian in the Bujinkan out of these students who were Butch's seniors and teaches up north.
He filled out an application for training with all of his military, family, martial arts training and ranking. When Butch first came to train he had little if almost no martial arts training. I still have both he filled out with a year apart from each. I got to know him from hours of teaching him over those years and many many lunch and dinner parties, seminars, and get-togethers. You could say I knew him very well before the many crazy and bizarre stories about him started about his past life. A lot has been said about Butch and by Butch about his life and the stories I got during my time training with him are far different from what I heard in the late 90’s.
I knew his son too. Butch called him “Bouk”. He came to all of our training with Butch until he went to live with Butch’s sister. He was a very shy and good boy.
On the subject of tapes.. I have record of Butch training with me.. hours of footage during his white, green and black belt experience. This footage allows you to see Butch and his abilities during this time period and his wonderful training state of mind. He was always up for good fun and hard training.
He was always helpful to the younger guys and had a smile for everyone.
Butch was promoted to Shodan in 1991 a few months after the Texas taikai.
I stopped teaching Bujinkan arts publicly and began my AOC training again in January 1993. At this time he was honorably promoted to nidan as a few other students Andy Breton and Nancy Pirro.
Butch first liked AOC for it's direct and simple methods. He had a hard time with moving his leg above his hip area because of his hip stiffness. He just was a powerful guy.. but moved very well on his feet.
Butch kept training with me for some time in AOC but the hard contact and high level of aerobics were to much for his body and he backed off his training with me and the group here in Dallas.
Butch left my Academy and started training in savate with Paul here in Irving Texas. Go figure..
Butch and I had our differences for about two years during 1993 to 1995 when he passes out stories that were not true about his training with me and others.
These things were never really cleared up and we never spoke about them..
The rest of his life.. till his passing was journey I'm sure...
ralph severe, kamiyama
Hello Everyone,
Sorry to hear about Butch, he seemed like a decent guy. I had met him several times, I believe the last one was in Tuscon AZ. where we got to train together for a while. I'll always remember him as the Big Guy who fell with a thud...but still had fun.
Prayers and Condolences to his family and friends
Steve Lefebvre
www.Bujinkandojo.net
I met him only once... on Holland Tai Kai 2K, but I immediately liked him. He seemed to me like hell of a guy, he was funny and didn't appear egoish at all.
May he be in a better place now...
I hear that Butchi san saw us, Bujinkan people, as his only and true family... well I think there will be quite some people in his family always remembering him. I for my part will.
Curious though... I was just thinking of Butchi san lately... must have been about the time he fell in coma...
Achim Steigert
Bujinkan Te-Nage Dōjō
Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu
Shodan - translated: beginners grade
Butch was in Miami almost a year ago. He was assisting Ed Lomax in a seminar. One thing about Butch he can tell a story and always be the hero in it
His spirit was definitely one for the record books. His presence alone was impressive to beginners. He will be missed and never forgotten....
So long Shihan, safe journey...............
Henry Infante
Budo Tenchi Dojo
World Institute for Security Enhancement