Renowned Martial Artist

Kenpo Black Belt

Exceptional Artist, Educator, and Innovator

Founder of Paxtial Arts Systems

 

Edmund Kealoha Parker, Jr. was born on November 15, 1959, in Glendale, California. As the son of the late Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr. — widely regarded as the “Father of American Karate” — Ed Jr. grew up immersed in the martial arts world. His father not only launched the careers of legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, but also served as Elvis Presley’s personal karate instructor, bodyguard, and close friend. Elvis’s passion for Kenpo even led him to feature the martial arts logo on his guitar.

​

Raised in Southern California, Ed Jr. initially pursued his passions for art and theater, earning the prestigious Bank of America Art Award. At age 19, he moved to Arizona and spent two years as a voluntary missionary, working with the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Southern Ute, Havasupai, White Mountain, and Jicarilla Apache tribes.

​

He later moved to Oahu, Hawaii, where he studied Illustration and Theatrical Arts at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. During his time there, he produced and exhibited student films — one of which was named Best Student Film of 1982 at the Hawaii Film Festival. He also completed an internship with the television series Magnum P.I. and earned 12 university scholarships for art and theater.

​

After completing his studies, Ed returned to California and continued his artistic training at the prestigious Art Center College of Design. Upon graduating, he partnered with his father. From 1983 to 1991, he played a key role in producing nine International Karate Championships — events that drew over 6,000 competitors annually and became the largest and longest-running martial arts tournament in the world.

 

Following his father’s passing in December 1990, Ed Jr. remained deeply involved in the martial arts. He produced six educational videos, published The Encyclopedia of Kenpo in 1992, and organized the first Martial Arts Expo in 1993, which attracted over 8,000 participants. That same year, he earned his First Degree Black Belt.

​

Ed has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Seven, Magnum P.I., Jake and the Fat Man, and Universal Pictures’ Dragon: The Life of Bruce Lee, where he portrayed his own father. He also choreographed fight scenes for Deadly Takeover and served as Associate Art Director for Cage II.

​

As a freelance illustrator and graphic artist with over three decades of experience, Ed has created more than 5,000 pieces of artwork. He designed two series for National Public Radio and spent eight years creating over 600 portraits honoring prominent figures in the martial arts and Kenpo community. He also served as the complete designer, layout artist, and illustrator for the book The Journey: The Oral Histories of 25 of the Most Prominent Kenpoists Today.

​

Ed has lectured and taught internationally, conducting over 70 seminars across 35 U.S. states and many countries including Chile, Australia, Sweden, Ireland, England, France, Greece, Denmark, Canada, Venezuela, and Mexico. He is widely recognized as a leading philosopher and historian in American martial arts.

​

In 2004, he founded EPAKS, Inc., a company dedicated to producing high-quality martial arts training materials. He has created over 140 Kenpo technique paintings turned into training card decks, released the book Kenpo Kards, and designed the first Kenpo-specific martial arts uniform now used worldwide. He also launched a custom certificate business for the martial arts industry.

​

In recent years, Ed — together with his wife Baer Parker — has focused on developing Paxtial Arts (originally released as American Kinetica in 2012), a peaceful, win-win approach to self-defense and conflict resolution. The program has certified over 50 instructors in its first six months and spread to more than 14 countries. Ed’s innovative work in this field has even led to consideration for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for his contributions to education and peaceful conflict resolution.

​

Ed is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Baer Parker. Together they are the proud parents of six children and nine grandchildren. They currently reside in the beautiful American Swiss Alps on the Elkhorn Mountain range in Sumpter, Oregon, where they continue creating art that is both visually stunning and universally meaningful.

​

The American Institute of Kenpo extends its deepest gratitude to Ed Parker Jr. for his invaluable mentorship, friendship, and contributions. His exceptional artistic training has greatly enhanced Mr. Pilch’s abilities, while his advanced concepts in body manipulation, logical problem-solving, and unwavering support have played a vital role in the growth and development of the American Institute of Kenpo.

​​

~ Last Updated 5/16/2025