James Toney
Grandmaster Toney, the "Senior Member" of the High Dan Board, who serves as it's Chairman, was born in 1933. He, also, holds the distinction of being one of the original members of the old Southwest Karate Black Belt Association and Board of Directors of the original American Karate Black Belt Association. He was trained and employed as a research geologist working for various concerns, and is retired from his last position on the staff of the University of Texas at Arlington. He began his karate training in the early 1960's at the Texas Instruments Karate Club (TEXINS), which served as the flagship for the development of the Allen Steen Texas Karate Institute Empire. He earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1968.
"Mr. Toney", as he is both respectfully and affectionately known throughout the southwest by those who are both his seniors and juniors in age, is one of the most respected and admired teachers Allen Steen's Dallas area schools ever had. He has, probably, trained as many students who have attained black belt as almost any other teacher in the Dallas area, and many nationally and internationally rated fighters of the era call Mr. Toney their sensei. Most of these students have gone on to become Instructors or Karate School Owners and Head Instructors, carrying with them what Grandmaster Toney has taught and enfluenced in them, so it can be passed on and enjoyed by others.
Most of Mr. Toney's personal tournament career occurred in his late 30's and early 40's. Even at twice the age of the, many nationally ranked, fighters in the Dallas area, all would tell you that James Toney was far from being an "old man". Both Mr. Toney and the "tough Dallas cop" Ed Daniel, convinced many a competitor in the 60's and 70's, you can still be a top competitor, even after 40. He won the Lightweight Black Belt Division of Pat Burleson's Texas Open Karate Championship in 1969 at age 40; a feat unequaled by any other top-competitor to this day.
Mr. Toney, always one to consider himself a student, is forever willing to learn from anyone, anywhere, at any time. He has achieved Black Belt rankings in Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan, Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan, Okinawan Dai Ni Gojuryu, and Jujitsu. He was named Shihan for North America by the Kokusai Dai Ni Gojuryu Karate Kyokai. His newest love is weapons, and he asks and continues to study under anyone who is qualified to teach.
He was one of the most in demand self-defense instructors in the Dallas area for many years. While he is retired from regular teaching and competition, he is still in great demand for belt tests and consultation. You would be hard pressed to find someone more qualified, skilled or experienced at watching your technique and correcting problems. His poise and personal attitude of fairness and enthusiasm is a credit to the Martial Arts and all they stand for. The wisdom he has demonstrated throughout his distinguished martial arts career has earned him full respect from all who have the honor of knowing him.
James Toney has served as Vice-Chairman of the High Dan Board from 1989-96 and as Chairman of the High Dan Board since 1997.
In May of 2000, Grandmaster Toney was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He is a true Texas and U.S. Karate Pioneer, and much of what made karate in the Southwest the toughest and fastest growing in the nation, can be attributed to James Toney and his students.
