RIP Grandmaster Ming Lum

[GeneChing]

I heard Grandmaster Ming Lum passed away last night.

We just posted photos of his 85th birthday banquet on our facebook album (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150434370284363&set=a.10150378590634363.412342.135964689362&type=3&permPage=1).

Here's his cover story - he was one of our very first cover masters: Summer 1993 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=175): Ming Lum, Martial Arts Ambassador: Godfather to Two Generations (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=214)

[hskwarrior]

Oh no, really? RIP SISOOK..............You get to see both your sifu (Lau Bun) and sigung Jew Leong again ......what a loss. :(

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/photos-ak-snc1/v454/115/53/697132731/n697132731_1076666_8930.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302103_10150361969657732_697132731_8263469_1110684 064_n.jpg


http://www.usadojo.com/Images/articles-photos/tea-w-grandmasters/Ming-Lum-4.jpgGreat Grandmaster Ming Lum was born in Chung San, Canton, China but grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. He's known as Gung Fu's Godfather to two generations. Grandmaster Ming Lum started his martial arts training while in grade school at the Chungsan Language School in Honolulu where he trained Fat Gar (Buddha Family) with Grandmaster Lam Dai Young, one of three of the best at that time. He also trained Jujitsu with Grandmaster Henry Okazaki and Judo with Kenny Kawatachi during 1940-1941 just before WWII broke out. In 1955 he moved to San Francisco, California. In 1957, Grandmaster Lum began to study with Choy Li Fat Grandmaster Lau Bun. In the 1960's he was the first to introduce the Shaw Bros. Gung Fu Film's in San Francisco area. He was first to bring Chinese stylist to enter karate tournaments and has opened the doors for a non-Chinese to learn Gung Fu in San Francisco.

Grandmaster Ming Lum has numerous of recognition awards and has also been inducted in the 1992 AMAPA Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Hawaii Kenpo Jujitsu Society Hall of Fame in 1999.

He is truly a man of his words and deeds. Highly respected around the world among laypersons and martial artists alike. In addition to his many duties, community responsibilities he also serves as one of the first senior advisors of the Hawaii Kenpo Jujitsu Society since it's founding in 1995.

Great Grandmaster Ming Lum has been council, advisor and public relations extraordinaire to virtually every martial arts promoter and tournament promoter in California. His renown is as such that he forms the cultural goodwill bridge between Asia and the United States. Primarily because he is knowledgeable of virtually every style of martial art taught in China and his acquaintance with all of the Great Grandmasters of both continents.

Great Grandmaster Ming Lum has been responsible for hundreds, if not thousands, of success stories in the martial arts. Working closely with the San Francisco Chinatown community and the City of San Francisco to bring each closer to the needs and understandings of these contrasting cultures.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/99/l_9154a0da41994617a88329ee59f2a461.jpg

[jdhowland]

Thank you, Gene.

I'm saddened to learn of his passing. He will always be "the Mayor of Chinatown" to me. Ming was always congeneal and funny and a wealth of knowledge--knew allmost everything about the history of the Bay Area CMA. He and his brother gave me encouragement and advice when I began my Bak Hok training in S.F.

My teacher always kept a picture of him on the wall of our training hall. Now it can be added to the shrine of ancestors.

When you received a "massage" from those steel hooks he had in place of a hand you felt honored. The pain lasted a moment. The silly grin on his face lasts for years in my memory.

[Jimbo]

Sorry to hear of Grandmaster Ming Lum's passing. R.I.P.

I met him a couple of times when he came down to San Diego several years ago. Seemed very down-to-earth.

[Hardwork108]

Rest in Peace.

[Fa Xing]

My deepest condolences to his family and students, may he rest in peace.

[Dale Dugas]

Prayers have been said for him, his family and his entire Kung Fu Family.

[GeneChing]

Grandmaster Ming Lum 1926-2011 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1009) by Gene Ching

[GeneChing]

As our table of contents (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1016) just went live online, the news story, Grandmaster Ming Lum's 85th Birthday By Zhao Xiaohu, will seem dated. We has already gone to press when we heard of Grandmaster Ming Lum's passing. We'll have an obituary, for both GM Ming Lum and GM Al Novak (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1015) in print for our next issue.