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Vintage Photos 1984-2001
Maria Warwick was forced to retire from teaching Martial Arts in 1983 for medical reasons. Carrying on that legacy were two individuals who took that continuation of responsibility seriously. First with Clay Micheau who operated a school from 1984-1986 before employment took him away, and also Mike Skinner Sr., who was Maria Warwick's first Black Belt in 1977. Mike Skinner Sr. taught at multiple locations, starting in 1984 until opening a reboot of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate that was in business from 1992-2001. Each of these photos has been watermarked to prevent the unethical from theft of the images. If you would like to obtain a non-watermarked version of the image, please ask and we will most likely accommodate your request. These photos will change at random.
Shortly after Maria Warwick closed Aberdeen Kenpo Karate, largely for medical reasons, Clay Micheau opened a school on E. Wishkah St.
At the time, Clay was very focused on tournament competition and was training heavily on his off days with Steve Curran.
This school was only open from 1984-1986 when Clay's work took him elsewhere.
Photo courtesy Clay Micheau
Contact at tournaments was still quite stout in the mid-eighties. It is very true that how a person practices will ultimately determine how they perform.
Here we see Clay Micheau and Keith Bowers honing their technique in preparation for a tournament.
Photo courtesy Clay Micheau
Having the right mindset when it comes to tournaments can help you move further up the rankings.
Photo courtesy Clay Micheau
By changing your opponent's heigh, width, and depth, you create a situation where he is unable to respond with a counterattack.
Photo courtesy Clay Micheau
Abuse of the heavy bag was one of Clay Micheau's favorite pastimes. By striking the bag, you begin to understand how the human body may respond and temper the power of your strikes accordingly.
Photo courtesy Clay Micheau
After instructing small scale from 1984-1992, Mike Skinner Sr. re-opened Aberdeen Kenpo Karate with the blessing of his instructor Maria Warwick to utilize both the school's name and the crest. This photo shows the location as it appears in 2025, almost a quarter century after the last class.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Jr.
Class photo 12 days after the school opened. Seven of the people pictured in this photo would earn their Black Belts.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
Paying respects at the final resting place of Martial Arts icon Bruce Lee in Seattle, WA. This space is now fenced off due to the sheer volume of visitors received. When I visited, Brandon Lee had also passed, but only a small marker was present.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Jr.
Mike Skinner Jr. was the first individual to earn a Black Belt at the new school location. This was the class size on 12.23.92.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
John Kraft was the second person to be promoted to Black Belt at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate. It was one of only two instances where Maria Warwick visited the school after her retirement from teaching in 1983.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
In 1993 and early 1994, John Kraft and Sue Messenger guided the younglings to never give up and to keep working hard to achieve their goals.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
It has been stated many times by many people that Kenpo practitioners do not kick well. Although this picture has been damaged over the years, it puts those rumors to rest.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
A splintering of schools took place in 1994. This is a photo of students at Pacific Shaolin Kenpo in 1995 with a star placed near those who had previously trained extensively at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate.
Photo courtesy Sue Messenger
In April of 1995, Grandmaster Ralph Castro conducted a seminar at the Nordic Inn. Students from both Aberdeen Kenpo Karate and Pacific Shaolin Kenpo were in attendance. It was the first time the Castro family had visited Aberdeen, Washington since 1979.
Beginning in 1988, Mike Skinner Sr. was a co-promoter of an annual tournament that continued for over a decade.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
The Black Belt Grand Champions at these annual tournaments received a katana blade as their reward for being the Best of the Best. Doug Hunter receiving the katana with Mike Shintaku presenting.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
The Skinner family made every effort to continue the legacy put into place by the Warwick family. Each of those you see pictured here has earned a Black Belt.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
Karen Ellingson was the last individual to receive a Black Belt in Grays Harbor before the new millennium.
Photo courtesy Karen Ellingson.
With her promotion, Karen Ellingson officially joins the instructor line.
Photo courtesy Mike Skinner Sr.
More Vintage Photos
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