Dojo History
of Fairwood Martial Arts
Sensei
John Kay earned his black belt in 1974. Sensei Ricki Kay (aka Ricki
Augen) began karate at the U. of Florida but transferred to Sensei John's Dojo
later in 1974 and earned her black belt in 1978. In 1980, John and Ricki,
got married and moved to Seattle, Washington. Ricki took the initiative
and started classes at the G & G Health Club near the SeaTac airport. Her dojo
moved to a succession of locations throughout the south Puget Sound area. In
1992, John and Ricki started serious talks about "opening a REAL dojo."
It wasn't until 1995, that
a suitable facility became available. This was in the Fairwood area of Renton,
Washington. They obtained an excellent 3,277 square foot facility on the back
side of the shopping center. And so, in August, 1995, Fairwood Martial Arts
began it's commercial existence (more
detailed history).
The chief instructors are Sensei
Ricki Kay and
John Kay and their son,
Tony Kay. Assistant instructors include:
"Big John" Somerville, Chris Zarlengo, and Jeff Stanger.
Sensei
John Kay earned his black belt in 1974. Sensei Ricki Kay (aka Ricki
Augen) began karate at the U. of Florida but transferred to Sensei John's Dojo
later in 1974 and earned her black belt in 1978. In 1980, John and Ricki,
got married and moved to Seattle, Washington. Ricki took the initiative
and started classes at the G & G Health Club near the SeaTac airport. Her dojo
moved to a succession of locations throughout the south Puget Sound area. In
1992, John and Ricki started serious talks about "opening a REAL dojo."