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Gordon Doversola Obituary
December 1, 1934 - April 19, 2011
Shihan passed away after a long battle over complications from a stroke and Diabetes. He is survived by daughters Czarina and Tahini. He was the founder and creator of the Okinawa-te Karate Organization. He was a giant in the Martial Arts world, and a pioneer in bringing the art to America. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was one of the first to open a Dojo in Los Angeles, his Art considered the forerunner of modern Karate. He was a technical advisor for movies and television and acted as well. Trainer of Jim Kelly, Joe Lewis, and many Martial Artists. Bodyguard and trainer for Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Ann Francis and many celebrities.
Funeral services on Wednesday 4/27/11, 11:00am at Turner & Stevens Mortuary, 200 E. Duarte Rd., Monrovia, CA 91016.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Doversola
Sponsored by Tahini Doversola, your loving Daughter.
Eugenia Hernandez
August 11, 2023
You are greatly missed .We think of you often.
Mauricio A.
August 9, 2023
I didn't know you personally - but I am pretty sure I met you at least once when I was just a little kid. You trained my Dad, Francisco, who is no longer with us since May of 2021. This was at your Atwater Village dojo. Many times he told me so many good things about you, and that along with Martial Arts, you helped him learn patience, and his patience is what helped him stay healthy until it was his time to go. Your teachings helped him meet his fate with patience and grace. I was lucky to inherit some of his belt certificates, as well as his gi. Somehow your name popped into my head today, and I felt I needed to say this. Rest easy sir.
Michael
October 10, 2021
Shihan,
Here I am, in 2021... still thinking about and missing you. I continue to use Okinawa-Te principles in everyday life and instill those same teachings and principles in my kids. I hope that in doing so, I continue to "represent Okinawa-Te very well."
Alanza soto
June 15, 2020
I trained with Gordon for 8 and a half years. He would never let me compete because of my bad temper. So i taught him how to bake bread instead. He came to my house quite offen and he was a wonderfull teacher and even a better friend. He was an artist and a great fighter i watched Gordon and Bruce Lee spar when Brandon was just a boy. They will all three be terribly missed, in my oponion they were the greatest fighters in the world always and forever. Alanza.
Joseph Ruffolo
April 15, 2019
I studied at Gordon's dojo in the San Fernando Valley for almost 3 years starting in 1970. While never a great Okinawa-te student, there were many lessons he taught that were useful to me in conquering cancer and recovering from heart surgery. Thank you Gordon!
BTW, I had to defend myself recently and I remebered all the training. I hope I made you proud.
Art Vietnam vet
February 9, 2018
I still have my black Okinawa te karate gi with the double snake patch. I started at Mr. Doversolas dojo on sunset Blvd. in 1965.
Unfortunately a war in Asia called. I have never forgot my time with
Mr. Doversola. A very nice gentleman. I'm now 72.
Peace.
George Stevenson
January 23, 2014
I always think back of my training with Shihan in Atwater Village and Eagle Rock. He left a very lasting impression on my life to this day. What a great man he was.
Bob
Bob Highley
March 24, 2013
March 23, 2013
Donna Galvin Duncan
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great man and funny as well. I knew Gordon for over 20 years when he ran Okinawa Ta Karate. My then husband Mark Galvin was a devoted follower of his . May he rest in peace
Tahini Doversola
March 12, 2013
It's almost been 2 years since I lost my Best friend, Dad, Superhero, Rock, Quietplace,Shihan......How to let go when I never had the honor of saying good bye and thank you.
I miss my Dad.
Tahini Togo
Miss the Dojo
Alex Orozco
January 25, 2013
Shihan... I miss you and thank you for all your guidance and fun stories .
Bruce Ritter
May 15, 2012
Funny, as I have been thinking of him recently too. I went searching for him on the Internet just a year ago even! Little was I to know that I probably just missed him, or maybe it was more than a coincidence that I was thinking of him as he died. He was my first, and favorite, Karate instructor.
David Minken
February 26, 2012
I will never forget Shihan, all the dojos, his stories and his friendship. He introduced me to Thai and Mandarin restaurants back in the 70s and opened up a new world. Through the years I met his family, Czarina, Elizabeth, Vernon and Tahini. They are wonderful beings. Shihan is a life force that will continue, I know because that is the true nature of life. We are the spirit and we have a body. When we finally wear it out we drop it ........and get another one. Come back soon you've got work to do, I'm still only a green belt and haven't learned the Bear yet.
David S Minken
Pastoral Counseling
Church of Scientology
Ramona Dennis
December 25, 2011
with deepest sympathy and respect to the family and to a good friend(daughter)lelani. I am so sad to read about your father i remember the good things you would tell me about him..you are in our thoughts and prayers.your friends always Ramona Dennis and Leticia Dennis
Robert&Elizabeth McDowell
October 13, 2011
Our thoughts are of an amazing person we had the opportunity to have as a person in our home in New Zealand.
Rest in Peace Shihan
Robert & Elizabeth McDowell
Robert & Elizabeth McDowell
October 13, 2011
Our thoughts are of an amazing person we had the opportunity to have as a person in our home in New Zealand.
Rest in Peace Shihan
Robert & Elizabeth McDowell
Joseph Ruffolo
October 2, 2011
I have been thinking of Sensei Doversola recently. It is with a sad heart that I read about his passing. I had the privilege and honor to train at his dojo in L.A in 1970 and 1971. Years later his teachings gave me the physical and emotional strength to fight off cancer twice. I will always remember him fondly and as my master.
Carl James Mc
August 27, 2011
To Shihan's family and friends... my sincerest condolences. He's at peace now but will live in us all... the memories of that incredible sense of humour, laugh, somewhat a cheekiness mixed with a serious message. He was great - so much to so many. Living overseas means that I have not been able to payback Shihan for his kindness... like him I will have to pay it forward in someway to the youth. I appreciate everything that you are all doing. Carl
Eugenia Hernandez
July 10, 2011
You will be greatly missed.Thank you for sharing so many stories with us.
July 7, 2011
Ivan, I Elizabeth a Doversola and sAMARA
dOVERSOLA WHOM IS GORDON'S GRANDDAUGHTER
WE ALSO EXPRIENCED THE BUTTERFLY, AT TAHINI'S dOVERSOLA HOUSE, THE BUTTERFLY WAS GOLD,BLACK AND A LITTLE RED IN IT'S APPEARANCE,, i BELIEVE IT IS CALLED A MONARCH BUTTERFLY.IT FLEW AROUND ME AND THE BABY FOR THE LONGEST TIME. IT FLEW AROUND US FOR A WHILE, THEN iT STOOD ON A ROCK ABOUT TWO FEET FROM US, AND IN MY MIND i SAID,"gORDON IS THAT YOU?". AND THEN THE BUTTERFLY TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT US AND STOPED FLAPPING IT"S WINGS STILL STANDING ON THE ROCK AND IT WAS LIKE IT WAS SAYING"WHAT DO YOU THINK". AND THEN THE BABY SAID TO ME "GRANDPA" ON HER OWN. sO YES, iVAN HE IS STILL WITH US NOW AND ALWAYS.
eLIZABETH DOVERSOLA
Ivan Brandler
July 3, 2011
I was working out in my yard yesterday,doing Kata's when I thought of Shihan,and how I missed him.I wondered,is he watching me right now from heaven.Suddenly,from out of nowhere,a big black butterfly flew over me.It was jet black,with its wings outlined in yellow,and a red dot in the center of its back,the OKT colors.OMG ! I thought,it's a sign from Shihan.I'm serious,this happened,and it was really unusual,as I rarely get butterfies in my yard.The spirit of Shihan and Okinawa-te lives on.R.I.P. Shihan.
July 2, 2011
In loving memory....since I was a child, your leadership and example was always cherished. Robert Highley SR
Ron Levy
June 27, 2011
I began my 40 year martial arts career in 1970 with Shihan. I'll never forget a couple of times that several of us kids would be waiting outside the Canoga Park studio, near Topanga Cnyn Blvd, for him to arrive for our lesson. It was raining hard and freezing cold when Shihan pulled up in his Nissan 240 Z (or was it a 280). He slowly got out of his car and to my amazement, he was barefoot, wearing only his gi bottoms and a black tee-shirt. When I asked him how he could do that, he explained that in Okinawa, it would get far colder and hotter than anything we ever felt. He further explained that in the winter, his teachers would open all the windows and doors, and in the summer, they would close them. If one could maintain the intensity of their training in both extremes of temperature, their mind would not be limited.
I remember one of my first tournaments. It was quite large. I had never before seen belts that were black, but so old that the hanging ends were shredded and mostly white. And many of the men with those black belts were being ordered around in Japanese by what appeared to be several masters. I was a bit disturbed by what appeared to be superiors dominating underlings. I was used to my master being deeply humble, internally owning his profound power while treating everyone with respect.
While the tournament hadn’t yet began, the large room noisy and bustling, I suddenly hear a loud Japanese word barked out over all the noise. Instantly, all the black belts and masters turn and face the front door. I turn to the entrance to see what their looking at. Among the many people still entering the room, I see my teacher, who had come to see me, slowly stop walking. As people continue to walk past him into the building, he slowly lowers his head for a moment, then he slowly lifts it back up and continues to walk in.
Next thing I know, the masters, continuing to speak in Japanese, are speaking to the underling black belts, calmly and respectfully. It’s then that I realized that they recognized Shihan, a true master, and felt the need to change their behavior in his presence.
I spent many years gifted in the opportunity to soak in Shihan’s energy that carried his many qualities that continue to be an integral part of who I am for the last 41 years. Ten years ago, I acknowledged Grand Master Gordon Doversola, in my Master’s Thesis in Psychology, for his teachings and for recognizing me at such a young age. My thesis was on Martial Arts as an Alternative Psychotherapeutic Approach for Working with Male Adolescents.
Finally, I will say that hearing stories about Shihan from John Hanrahan (Master of Okinawa-te awarded by Shihan), was a powerful experience for me every time. Not only were the stories amazing, but to feel such deep reverence coming from such an impressive master as John, was another level of honored experience to have of Shihan.
I want to thank Shihan’s family and all of you who knew him. We were all part of his experience that impacted who he was and who he chose to be with us. I know that this great man will live in me and in all of us forever. I am deeply honored.
[email protected]
May 19, 2011
Gordon you were and still remain my best friend, my husband and father to our children Teiken(Pengi), Tahini (Togo) and Czarina. You intrudced me to new worlds and thier beauty of fighting, music, food, Movies. You can and never will be replaced. You and only you will always be the olny Shihan of Okinawa-Te Karate Org. Tahini and me miss talking and going places with you. Your granddaughters Shasha, Shana, and Samara miss listening to you. We miss your laugh. You will remain alive in my heart. You said I love you in words, but also by you actions, cooking for your family, and by talking with your eyes, yes you said I love you with your eyes.. I will always love and miss you.
You said I love you by thanking me for giving you 3 children. What more can I write or say.
Elizabeth Doversola
Tahini Doversola
May 19, 2011
One month ago life changed. MY DAD'S body died.He was a true SHIHAN. One man cannot endure pain and torment for such a long period of time and still battle using mind and sprit. My Dad did this.
Dad I know it's YOU.
Thank You for being here with me.
Love and miss you
DA
-Tahini Doversola your "TOGO"
Adam Rangiaho
May 8, 2011
Rest in peace Shihan Doversola. You will be missed.....
May 7, 2011
I value the time I had with Shihan, the ripples of the effect his style has had on martial arts in New Zealand continue to spread. No doubt he is, at this moment, instructing angels and saints on the correct footwork and proper technique. Thank you Shihan
Barry Amer, Okinawa-te School of Martial Arts, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Craig Sexton
May 7, 2011
Shihan,
You are the most unforgetable man I have ever known. And I am so grateful for letting me be apart of your life.
Goodnight Shihan, I will miss you.
Janet Ammons
May 5, 2011
Janet , Kurt, Sean and Tara Ammons send our deepest sympathy he was a great Master of Martial Arts and a friend from back in the early 80s when my sons trained in his Monrovia DoJo under Sensei Ivan Brandler. It was an honor to know both Shihan and Sensei .
Okinawa-te Organization logo
Charles Kindall
May 1, 2011
Forever Your Student Willy L.
April 29, 2011
Much More Than a Martial Arts Master - Friend, Inspiration, Whit, Humor, Master Story Teller, Tour Guide to the Things of Life, Sense of Adventure, Teacher, Profound Human, One that Loved to Swim, Enigma, Mystic, Philosopher.
The Master's Master, Lover of Life and Nature, Young at Heart.
Master Creator of His Own Martial Art System- Brave!!!
Thank You to the Doversola Family for Sharing Gordon Doversola with Us, Shihan Shared His Creation, Time, Life, Soul and Spirit with Us.
Shihan Was Rich and Wealthy in the Things That really Mattered -
Shihan shared His Wealth
Jeff Phillips
April 28, 2011
I had been in Okinawa-te for about 4 years before I really got to meet Shihan. He would come to our school in Simi Valley once and a great while, but the storys about him where grand and almost unreal. As I got to know him, I soon learned that the stories where true and sometimes a bit understated! I had the pleasure of begining to train with him in the mid 90's driving to his school in eagle rock twice a week after finally becoming a brown belt. The was no one that I wanted to earn my black belt from except Shihan himself, but sadly I never did get to test with him. My fondest memories of Shihan have to be about how he would train you, I have never had anyone laugh so much while they where kicking my butt! He would love to ask you what you think you should do in a situation and then show you all of the options you truly had... One after the other after the other always saying something like "how about this, or this.. or this" the whole time laughing and smiling as he twisted you into a piece of origami. I only wish I hadnt drifted away and had the chance to have said goodbye one last time. He was an incredible man, teacher and friend and will be missed by all.
Craig Lockwood
April 27, 2011
As one of Gordon’s very early students, along with Bill Kalaua and Anthony Mazzola, I had the experience of training with Sensei in his first dojo in Hollywood in 1961.
Two years later I talked him into coming down to Laguna Beach, my home town, and starting a once-a-week class in a large house I rented with wonderful wood floors on Glenneyre St.
A stuffy City Council member who was a real estate broker and hostile to anything that hadn’t been leased through his brokerage, tried to insist that in order for us to have a “club” we’d need a business license.
Gordon, in a jacket and tie (probably the only time I ever saw him so dressed) with all of six of us in the Council Chambers as his support section, and with that imperturbable, immutable dignity of his stood up and said with a trace of Hawaii in his soft voice:
“T’ank you, I understan’ you’re worry, but dis’ not one business. It’s my fren’s house an’ I’m his guest.”
The mayor looked at me -- I was a beach lifeguard for the City and had a good reputation, and he folded his hands on the gavel, tapped it and nodded to Gordon. “Welcome to Laguna Beach, Mr. Doversola, I’m sure you can teach these young men something useful. Would you mind if I stopped in to watch?”
He’d make the drive, and spend the night sleeping on the dojo floor, heading back to Los Angeles the next day. With only five or six students it certainly wasn’t a money maker for him, and in fact was a drain on his always meager resources, but his dedication to his art and his students is a quality we, who are fortunate enough to have trained with him, will all attest to and remember.
Besides his masterful skills in Okinawa-Te, Gordon possessed a wry and understated sense of humor and a heart brimming over with Aloha spirit.
Mort omni Vincet, Sensei.
Craig Lockwood
Tom Pillsbury
April 26, 2011
My condolences to the Doversola family and to all of his students and friends. The world has lost a great Master. We were changed forever through his instruction. His life's work will continue through those that he showed the path of his Okinawa-Te. Thank you Shihan Doversola, forever rest in peace.
Dan Inosanto
April 26, 2011
My wife, Paula and I extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and students of Shihan Gordon Alcazar Doversola
I had the honor and privilege of being a private student of Shihan Doversola during 1962 & 1963.
The year and a half that I was able to to train privately with Shihan, enhanced and added to my knowledge and skill in the martial arts. I truly admired and respected Shihan and remain grateful for what he taught me. He was the rare combination of a skilled and knowledgeable teacher and “fighter”.
The martial arts community has lost a true “Master”.
His legacy in the arts will live on through his teachings, and he will be remembered.
Tahini Doversola
April 25, 2011
I am honored that a few have bravely expressed how my Father has affected your lives. The stories I have heard recently have come true to life. I thought he would just “Talk Stories” now I know they were mostly true. I appreciate those of you whom have taken time out to call, email and just come by to see me.
Cannot seem to find the words to say good-bye to my Shihan, Father, Confidant, Life Coach, “Mr. learn from my example and mistakes TOGO and just watch”. Those who know us can relate. Dad spoke to me with his eyes without a word we knew everything that needed to be known. He would tell me I am smart because I like him was quite and would just watch. As I watched Dad’s life change I too changed and learned it was not smart to stay quite. More lessons Dad is always teaching.
Dad created what most would only imagine and some actually fake it (as if). Those worthy could attest to being better for just knowing my Father and OKINAWA-TE.
It hurts not have the luxury of looking into my Dad’s eyes to know what he needs and is thinking. I learned not say Good-bye to my Dad (it would hurt too much) I would utter the words “see you in a little bit”.
Hoping he would come back home with us. That never happened.
I miss you DA.
-Togo
April 25, 2011
May the love of God sustain the family at this time. CT
Armando R. Garcia
April 25, 2011
I used to pass by Sensei Doversola's dojo on Sunset Blvd (1965) all the time as I attended Thomas Starr King Jr. I always wanted to learn the art of Martial Arts but did not have the resources, finally my sister offer to pay for my lessons $15.00 per month then. It is here when I met Sensei Doversola and Larry Delano. I started training Mondays and Wednesdays, did not have money to pay for an extra day; so, after a few months:
1. Sensei suggested: since I was a student and also dedicated to the training, if I cleaned up the dojo regularly I did not have to pay for and extra weekday or Saturdays, so I started sweeping and moping the floor, vacuuming the mat and cleaning the mirrors etc., I thought I was doing a good job cleaning the mirrors until he told me not to use paper towels instead to use regular newspaper because it would make the mirrors shiner; so I learned my first lesson.
2. Sensei picked me up from my house in Echo Park a half of dozen times to take me to the dojo on Sunset. Sensei used to drive a Toyota and share with me that Toyotas were good, he had driven his Toyota out of the state and it ran beautifully, so I said to myself my first car is going to be a Toyota so, my first car was a Toyota. Second lesson.
3. One time there was a tournament being held in his dojo in Canoga Park, he suggested I compete because I was fast in counter attack, (I was a white belt then and had been training for about three months); and he added, “you can also carry for me the First Aid Kit�.
4. As we were driving toward Canoga Park for the tournament Sensei was eating bananas and told me that bananas were good because it calmed the nerves and slowed down the metabolism, so we ate bananas all the way to the tournament. From then on I begin eating bananas every chance I had.
5. Sensei told me in one occasion he had the best cocido ever (beef soup) from the Barragan's Restaurant on Sunset and Echo Park. I did not have the opportunity to go with him but I did try the cocido and he was right.
6. In another occasion after training he told me to helped him add some numbers from a notebook he was carrying for the purpose of completing an income report on his dojos, so; I sat on his chair feeling important, I added those numbers and in the next training session he told me with a smile on his face I had added the numbers all wrong so he had someone else do it again. He did not get angry; I did not want him to be angry at me.
7. In another instance the dojo was closed and I was waiting outside the door together with about 8 junior high school boys. He arrived, opens the door, and as soon as we all went in he said to me: “have the boys kick and punch for a while; I am taking a nap.� So I had them kick and punch back and forth for about ½ hour while he slept on a green sofa next to the matt.
8. During training he would pass and hit my right ribs lightly with his right hand knuckles that felt like rocks. So I trained my right hand knuckles as well. I wanted to have knuckles like him.
9. I recall as well I told him I had been elected president of the Karate Club in Los Angeles City College and I wanted him to be our sponsor and instructor, he said, “Look, is not going to look good having the master suddenly show up; let me send a black belt (Ray) to prepare them for a while and then I'll make my presence known. It is here that I last saw him. Sensei Doversola leaves in my many good and unforgatable memories.
Sensei's Okinawa-te training has giving me confidence throughout my life. He was my role model when I was looking for an identity in High School and College. Our Sensei will still be watching his dojos and students.
May he rest in peace.
Deacon Armando R. Garcia.
Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Thoughts and Prayers.
Cathy (O'Toole) Reilly
April 25, 2011
I started training at Okinawa-te Karate Organization in 1985 I think it was. Went to every seminar I could, countless tournaments, private lessons, earned my black belt from Shihan and even a trip to New Zealand with him. He wasn't just my Master, and Mentor it was much deeper than that. I will miss him very deeply, his stories, teachings, advice, and even him always asking about my "termites" (my kids.)
Kenn Fujioka
April 25, 2011
"You must be looking for me. I'm Shihan." I had stepped into his dojo after calling earlier that day. I was looking for a place to start training. He was wearing shorts, a black t shirt under old army fatigue long sleeves, and an equally old army fatigue cap. I thought, "They must have patterned Pat Morita's character in Karate Kid after this guy." And I was right! I enjoyed my time with Shihan immensely, and I will miss him. The martial arts world has lost a genius, and I have lost a mentor and friend.
Brian Harding
April 24, 2011
Shihan Was my mentor my Idol. I'll never forget the time we spent working on his car. Going to pick a part and getting parts. He was always so kind and his laugh made you feel warm inside. He always made you feel special. He loved teaching and got excited seeing the wonder in peoples eyes when they learned the technique I'll always remember him and practice my art with his sprite in my mind.
Ivan & Judi Brandler
April 24, 2011
Judi and I will really miss Shihan.He was more to us that our Karate Master,he was our friend.He taught us more that just Okinawa-te,he taught us about life,and how to deal with it.He was always kind,sincere,and caring.For being the great Karate master that he was,he was humble and unpretencious.He touched many people's lives,ours included.All that knew him,loved and admired him.The world lost a great and honorable man.
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