Richard Ernest Gilliland Jr.

Fight! Because you have to fight for what you want in life...that was what we repeated at the end of each class at KI. I've read some shady information about his military record and would love for someone to clear that up for me because I know what he taught at KI was effective and helped me get through a little curb I was having growing up. I appreciate the lessons and always telling me to think outside the box and be creative with adapting new techniques. Thank you

Wow, guess I'm coming late to this party.
I never imagined I would take karate. But It was suggested to me to enroll my son. I dropped him off and decided to watch... I was hooked. It only took a few weeks before I joined up and have never looked back.
I doubt I would have done it without Mr.G. He possessed the culture of challenge with learning with fun. He would hurt you to teach you and then take the pain with a laugh. He could ask the probing questions. It was not...

To My Friend and his Family and Students:

Richard-san, what a wonderful life you lived - what a wonderful, memory-filled legacy you left for us all! You even managed to give away all your "toys" before leaving. Kindness and strength to your students; love and thoughtfulness to Maria-san and your family; and true friendship to "old students" such as myself. I will certainly miss you my friend but I will miss you with a smile not a frown. Your energy is still here with us and...

Mr. G
I met you when you started coming into my store to buy calling cards to call PERU. You were so happy, and from those short visits a friend ship developed. I heard a lot about your precious Maria and how you couldn't waite to meet her. You gave me advice and we talked about almost anything. My kids started taking karate and they loved it. The day came when Maria was going to come and I remember you so so so so happy. She arrived and you came to introduce her to me so proud. ...

I WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HAS BEEN HERE AND IS HERE WITH OUR FAMILY, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE ARE A “FAMILY SCHOOL” TO SAY HELLO “PRETTY MR. G. THE MOST WONDERFUL MAN I EVER KNEW IN MY LIFE.

ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO HE CAME INTO MY LIFE ON THE INTERNET AND WE FELL IN LOVE AND A LOVE LIKE OURS IS SIMPLY ENDLESS.
IT IS A FEELING THAT WHEN YOU ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE IT YOU NEED TO THANK GOD!

I PICTURE HIM LIKE A KNIGHT ON A HORSE, A REAL OLD FASHION GENTLEMAN, A...

mr g,
i still dont think that its quite hit me that your not here any more. im gonna miss stopping by and talking with you. even if it was just for a few minutes, it was always something that i looked forward to. i am proud to say that i knew you for so long. you helped to created a culture at kikville. one of family. i will always have those memories of camping. remember the egg? or the time i learned how to pitch a tent?! funny.
thanks for all you did for me and my...

Mr. G, you left us too soon. As a mother I can not express the tremendous impact you had on our entire family. Lauren was one of your "Little Ninjas" and Most recently you promoted her to a Junior rank. You truely walked your talk, your creed. You taught our children, Lauren (7) and Christopher ( 2 1/2) respect and honor. Words can not express our respect and appreciation for what you taught our children and what you taught us as parents. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Lauren...

Swing wide mighty gates of Valhalla
And let enter the warrior Gilliland

May he join mighty Odin
Along side Thor with his hammer
And Gilliland with his battle axes
May they guard our realm from the evils we may face
And guide us in the path we choose to follow


Richard you were my mentor, my daughter's and wife's sensia. When I needed advice I knew that I could depend on you to tell me what I needed to know. We agreed to disagree at times and...

What words can possibly express who Mr. G was to those of us who knew him? He was a fearsome, battleaxe-toting bear on the floor, all the while adored as a friendliest, most optimistic man in Kernersville. It's impossible to sum up how much he meant to each and every one of us, and to me, personally.

I came into the dojo about five years ago as a black belt in TaeKwonDo, from a school that took very little personal interest in the students they trained. Mr. G was very much...