Sensei
Sensei Michael Burgess
Head Sensei / 7th Degree Black Belt
Sensei Burgess has been involved in the martial arts for over fifty years. He became acquainted with the martial arts at the age of ten when he received a book for Christmas: The Kung Fu Exercise Book. The year was 1972 and it was a great time to be alive and interested in the martial arts. Kwai Chang Caine was kicking the bad guys around in the
TV series Kung Fu. Bruce Lee was tearing up the big screen with his incredible speed. So Mr. Burgess was hooked, he knew then that the martial arts were going to play an important role in his life.
Sensei Burgess started his formal training in 1982 when he had the good fortune to be introduced to his Sensei Roe Carter. Sensei Carter was teaching Wado Ryu Karate, one
of the leading styles of Japanese Karate. Sensei Burgess received his black belt in October of 1986. Sensei Burgess also went on to study The Japanese Sword : Iaido, Jodo and Kenjustu achieving black belts in all 3. He was awarded his 7 th degree black belt in Wado Ryu in March of 2024. Mr. Burgess is a retired pastor, and law enforcement officer. He has been married for 47 years has 2 children and 6 grandchildren. He also enjoys archery, woodworking, restoring antique vehicles, blacksmithing, fishing, shooting, kayaking, hiking, gardening, and operating heavy machinery.
Mr. Roe Carter
Retired Sensei / 7th Degree Black Belt
Roe Carter began his study of Wado Ryu karate in January of 1976 under Ray Cross and Don Hendrix. He was one of the first students to walk through the door when the school opened in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Mr. Carter earned his black belt late in 1978. As an ardent student, Roe Carter became friends with his instructors, and because of the mutual respect and Mr. Carter’s dedication, he was the student chosen to continue the school in 1983 when Don Hendrix moved to Athens, Alabama and Ray Cross retired as a 4th Dan. At that point Mr. Carter was a Ni-Dan or 2nd degree Black Belt.
While serving as head of the school, Mr. Carter continued to study under Sensei Cecil T. Patterson. Until his death in 2002, Mr. Patterson was the highest ranking occidental in the Wado Ryu system and head of the United States Eastern Wado Ryu Karate-Do Federation in Nashville. His son, Mr. John Patterson, follows in his father’s footsteps as head of the federation.
Though karate has been an avocation rather than a full-time job, Mr. Carter has been an enthusiastic supporter of Wado Ryu through the years, attending as many seminars and tournaments as possible. Since 1998 Mr. Carter has served on the board of directors for the U.S. Eastern Wado Ryu Federation. This organization evaluates and grades Wado Ryu Black Belt candidates from the Eastern United States. Mr. Carter retired from CKNA in Lewisburg and is able to devote more time to karate.
Sensei Carter was awarded his 7th degree Black Belt in 2010 by Sensei John Patterson. He has received several additional honors, including the 2004 Master Otsuka Award from the U.S.E.W.K.F. This is the highest award presented by our federation, which requires nomination both from students within the school and other instructors in our system. In 2024, Sensei Carter was inducted into the U.S. Eastern Wado-Ryu Hall of Fame for his many years of service.
