Shihan Neil Godfrey (Renshineil@comporium.net)

Shihan Neil Godfrey started martial arts training in 1977 at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex. Hanshi Danny McCall was putting on a demonstration at the Open House for the Complex and after the demo he asked if anyone in the audience was interested in started class. So he signed up for the 1st class held and been there ever since.

Over the years he has held many positions within the American FreeStyle Shorei/Shorin Karate Club.

Born September 12, 1957 in Rock Hill, SC. Raised in Fort Mill, SC.

Family:
Married to Sharon M. Godfrey, September 21, 1975.

Two children:
(daughter) Nikki Godfrey-Hill, (husband) Rob Hill.
(grandson) Blake Hill, (granddaughter) Xan Hill. All of Fort Mill, SC.

(son) Gregory Godfrey, (wife) Ashley Godfrey.
(grandsons) Parker Godfrey, Anderson Godfrey, and Graham Godfrey, All of Fort Mill, SC.

Religious Activities:

Member of First Baptist Church Fort Mill, SC.
Deacon (inactive)
High School Sunday School Director (past)
Sunday School Teacher (past)

Employment:

Duke Energy Retired – Catawba Nuclear Station, York, SC, (February 2^nd, 1976, retired 12/31/2018)

Senior Technical Specialist
Emergency Diesel Generators, Mechanical Maintenance

Civic Organizations:

Catawba Lodge #56 A.F.A.M since 1980.
Hejaz Shriners (Shrine ID #563374)
Crescent Shrine Lodge of South Carolina (Member ID #30859)

Martial Arts Background:

Shihan Neil Godfrey started martial arts training in 1977 at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex in Fort Mill, SC. Hanshi Danny McCall was putting on a demonstration at the Open House for the Complex and after the demo he asked if anyone in the audience was interested in starting class. So Mr. Godfrey signed up for the 1st class held and been there ever since.

Over the years he has held many positions within the American FreeStyle Shorei/Shorin Karate Club. Presently Mr. Godfrey holds the following rank certifications.

7^th Dan (Shichidan) American Freestyle Shorei/Shorin Karate-Do (03/14/2014), Verification No. 025. Authorized by Hanshi Danny R. McCall, Headmaster of the American Freestyle Karate under the sanctified charter established by, Jerry Piddington Grandmaster Okinawan Shuri-Ryu, Budokan Tokyo, Japan May 2, 1972, Ratified May 30, 1975. USKA Verification No. 5‑72‑72.

7^th Dan (Shihan) American Open Style Karate-Do (03/14/2014), Verification No. SC 2. Authorized by Jerry Piddington, Headmaster of the American Open Style Karate under the sanctified charter established by Robert A. Trias, Grandmaster Okinawan Shuri-Ryu, Budokan Tokyo, Japan May 2, 1972, Ratified May 30, 1975. USKA Verification No. 5‑72‑72.

Inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame, June 28th, 2008, in Tannersville, Pa. “Instructor of the Year” * American Open Style Karate.

Certified Glass Walker:

Certified Fire Walker:

Training in martial arts:
Since 1976 under Hanshi Danny R. McCall in Fort Mill, SC, and Denver , NC.
Since 1986 under Kyoshi Charles Lingerfelt in Fort Mill, SC.

Additional training sessions:
Hanshi Ridgley Abele – Shuri-Ryu
Kyoshi Troy Price – Shuri-Te Bujutsu-Kai

Martial Arts Organizations:

Dojo Association (past)
U.S.K.A (past) United States Karate Association (Grandmaster Robert A. Trias)
S.E.K.A. (past) South Eastern Karate Association
I.S.A. (present) International Shuri-Ryu Association (Hanshi Robert Bowles)
A.K.A.N.A. (present) American Karate Academies National Association (Grandmaster Jerry Piddington)

Martial Arts Responsibilities:

A Senior Instructor in American Open Style Karate-Do
A Senior Instructor in American Freestyle Shorei/Shorin Karate-Do
Set and organization of testing, demonstrations, and seminars associated with American Freestyle Shorei/Shorin Karate-Do
30 plus years of record keeping associated with American Freestyle Shorei/Shorin Karate-Do
Creating Certificates and Certification associated with American Freestyle Shorei/Shorin Karate-Do

Martial Arts Tournaments over the years:

Hanshi Danny McCall’s Warrior Tournament – Denver, NC
Kyoshi Charles Lingerfelt Tournament of Champion – Fort Mill, SC
Larry Dillingham
Ricky Taylor’s “Red Rose Tournament” – Fort Mill, SC
Penny Shannon – West Virginia
Gary Dillingham
Flame Williamson “Stump Town Nationals” – Shelby, NC
Larry Bullard – Boone, NC
Wayne “T-Bird” Funderburk
Dewey Earwood
Lee Jenkins
Nathaniel White – Lancaster, SC
Charles Burris
Battle of Atlanta – Keith Vitale
Atlanta Pro-Am
more through the years

Everyone’s life is driven by something. Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life and purpose always produces passion. Nothing energizes like a clear purpose.

Neil Godfrey * Shihan