Help with Funeral Costs for Our Friend John

I am Master Lori Mendez. I had the good fortune of meeting and practicing tae kwon do with John starting almost 2 decades ago at Kyung Hee Tae Kwon Do in University City.

I knew John when his brother Jonathan who he loved very much died. I witnessed John and his brother and housemate Jeremiah selflessly fulfill their commitment to their dying brother by caring for their ailing mother for years until she passed with assistance from their brother Jacques.

Meanwhile. back in the TKD do jang, I also watched as John skillfully taught generations of children TKD techniques that were convertible to life skills with honor, patience, and care.

John never missed an opportunity to advance his own natural TKD ability and hone his own TKD skills. I was also there to watch John test for his fourth dan master level black belt in Seoul, So. Korea a year before I tested.

As I watched, I learned by John’s example. John taught me the right way to practice. He was deeply soulful and moved gracefully in rhythm with the breath. He didn’t just do tae kwon do, he lived it and embodied its creeds- courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitability. He was well-loved and highly respected at our do Jang. I am a better practitioner, master, and human because I knew John and because he let me in to his world so I could see his way of practicing and learn and come to share his philosophy of martial arts and life.

Additionally, John was funny and made us laugh. He saw the big picture and poked fun at it and all of us and himself from time to time.

Unfortunately, I also witnessed John’s final chapter-colorectal cancer that he fought with rounds and rounds of chemo and radiation and other relentless procedures and testing that ravaged his body but kept him alive for years longer than anyone thought possible. It was only a couple of weeks ago when we met as he was about to start yet another round of torturous chemo/radiation that I heard John say “I’m over it.” He really truly was.

Each of you had your special time with John and each of you have your own significant and special stories to share.

John deserves a proper send off. Please join me and fellow tae kwon do family and together let’s all help John’s caring brother Jeremiah raise the needed funds.☯️