On October 18, 2018, beloved Sensei, Ralph D. Jaschke, was called to Christ’s Kingdom at the age of 67. Ralph was born June 26, 1951, in Victoria to Audrey Wilson Jaschke and the late Clarence Jaschke. He graduated from Victoria High School in 1969 and continued his education at Victoria College and Sam Houston State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminology and a Master’s degree in education.
Ralph started Karate in 1967 under Tom Redmon in the “blood and guts” Golden Era of Karate. After three years of hard and continuous training he was awarded his Black Belt by Jhoon Rhee in 1970. He then opened his first professional Karate School, The Gulf Coast Martial Arts Institute of Victoria. For the next two years he became a noted Texas tournament competitor, earning his 2nd Degree Black Belt from Jhoon Rhee in 1972. From 1972-74 he coached the SHSU Karate Team which remained undefeated until 1978. Ralph moved to Washington DC in 1974 to work for Grand Master Jhoon Rhee teaching Korean Karate. He returned to Huntsville, Texas in 1976 and established the Huntsville School of Karate. He returned to Victoria in 1979 and established Nautilus Fitness Center and the Victoria School of Karate. In 1984 he opened the American Karate Institute. Ralph became a distinguished South Texas fighter, winning both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Full Contact Point Championships. In 1987 he was rated number 12 in the world by the Star Rating System. Since 1989 he has produced 120 Karate championship tournaments. From 2001 – 2016 Ralph found a new challenge teaching high school psychology for the Victoria Independent School District. Ralph has taught over 20,000 Karate students and has almost 200 Black Belts under him, making him one of the top Black Belts in the United States. He developed lifelong friendships with students both in and out of VISD and his American Karate Institute dojo.
In 2016 Ralph faced his greatest opponent when he was diagnosed with cancer. He met the challenge with tremendous resolve and fierce determination. He recently stated that he was one of the lucky ones because he had already lived out most of his bucket list.
Ralph is survived by his partner and wife of over 25 years, Natalie Wagner Jaschke; sons, Jason Krog and wife, Sheila of Victoria and Aaron Jaschke and wife, Heidi of Arizona; his mother, Audrey Jaschke of Victoria; his brother, Albert Jaschke of Euless; grandchildren, MacKinley Krog, Hunter Krog, Sean Taylor and Vaughn Jaschke. Ralph hopes his grandchildren will become black belts, not just as a nod to his legacy, but to continue the integrity of the sport he loved so much.
Visitation will begin at 8:30 am Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Faith Family Church. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am with Rev. Donald Tharp officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Allen Clifton, Juan Alcantar, Andy Farrior, Shane Schroeder, Michael Rivera, Keith Dundas, Mick Moore and Mike Cochrum.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Redmon, Fred Simon, Deryl Francis, Steve Powell, Al Francis, Kevin Smith, David Blevins, Ronnie Malina, Gil Poppell. David Gonzales, Vance Howard, Jim Mahar, Doc Bartlett, Ross Braune, Fred Lykes, Ronnie Guertin, Bernie Klimist, Stan Singleton, Raul Vasquez and past and present AKI students.
Memorials may be made to Faith Family Church.
“It’s a good feeling to know I’ve made a difference in people’s lives.” Ralph D. Jaschke
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