Instructors at Pak's Karate Academy

Grandmaster Song Ki Pak – 9th Degree Black Belt

Born in Dae Gu City, South Korea, Grandmaster Song Ki Pak started training at the age of 12 under the instruction of Cha Jay Won (a second generation traditional instructor) in the Moo Duk Kwan system. He achieved Black Belt in Moo Duk Kwan in 1951 from Master Cha. Master Cha is the only one left alive today. Grandmaster Pak is considered a third generation Tang Soo Do master. This martial art genealogy, courtesy of the noted martial art historian Dr. He-Young Kimm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was verified by Grandmaster Pak after discussion and clarification.

Grandmaster Pak taught traditional Tang Soo Do in Korea until 1961. He is noted for teaching soldiers of the US Government in 1961 for the 7th infantry Military Police Company and the CIA near Tong Du Chon city, South Korea. In 1969, Pak moved his school onto the army base and taught martial arts to the 5th Air Force division, 6170 combat support squadron.

In 1973, Pak moved to Jacksonville, FL via Hawaii and then to Louisville, KY. In 1974, he moved to Lafayette, Indiana where he taught nationally recognized and noted senior students Pat Fraser, Gary Cohen, and Dave Richel.

Grandmaster Pak moved back to Jacksonville, FL in 1975 and opened a school in an old carpet store on Blanding Blvd. Master Curtis Hammond and Master Mike Arrington were of the first students at that location. Pak built his own school with the help of students and moved to his new location in November of 1978. Pak built his second and current facility in October of 1985 on Blanding Blvd and is billed as one of the largest Tang Soo Do schools in the world.

Master Craig Peeples – 8th Degree Black Belt

Master Bryan Peeples – 7th Degree Black Belt

Master Bryan Peeples began his martial arts training at the age of 6 with his brother Craig. He participated in many local, state, and national tournaments including several Jr. Olympics. After graduating with honors in the top 10 of his high school class, he attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. where he also studied Aikido with a renowned instructor. He Received his 4th Dan with The United Tang Soo Do Federation in 1995, and his 5th Dan in 2000. He also trains in boxing and Brazilian Jujitsu. He has been studying, training, and teaching most of his entire life. Master Peeples performs demonstrations regularly with his specialty being back kick on concrete blocks and ridge hand on bricks. His favorite sparring techniques were axe kick and over hand punch. Master Bryan began running the Pak's Karate of Fernandina Beach, Florida school in 1996 and built a beautiful 12000 sq. ft. facility for the Fernandina school in 2006. He married his wife Master Carolyn Peeples in September 2001.

Master Eric Allen – 7th Degree Black Belt

Master Allen began his martial arts career in March 1980 with Pak's Karate in St. Mary's, Georgia when he was 14. At that time, Pak's Karate was part of the Moo Duk Kwan Federation. His instructors were Master Thomas Ary and Mr. Bob McKernnan. He became an assistant instructor at Red Belt. He received his 1st Degree Black Belt in February 1983 and became an instructor. Seven months later he moved away to attend college. After graduating college with a computer information system degree and settling into his career, he resumed training in April 1991 with Master Craig Peeples in Kingsland. He began teaching again and tested for 4th Degree Master's belt in February 1998. Master Allen has been married to his wife Marla for 19 years and have 3 children.

Master Carolyn Peeples – 5th Degree Black Belt

Master April Peterson – 4th Degree Black Belt

Master Brett Roberts – 4th Degree Black Belt

Master Roberts is a lifelong resident of Kingsland, Georgia. Master Roberts has practically grown up at Pak's Karate in Kingsland. He started under Master Peeples in 1998 at the age of four. He is a 3rd degree Black Belt due to test for his 4th Degree in about a year which will make him one of the youngest masters in the United Tang Soo Do Federation. He prides himself for having attended extreme training every summer since he has been a high enough rank to do it. Master Roberts has been on two different demonstration teams both of which won the national championship for that year. Mr. Roberts is also a Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He has been a member of the STORM and SWAT teams. He currently teaches the Tiny Tigers and Tigers and the Kid Jitsu classes as well as assist other classes. Master Roberts has participated in the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Pak's Karate's Costa Rica Summer Training and also attended the 2011 EFC National Convention.

Justin Adcock – 3rd Degree Black Belt

Mr. Justin started karate at the age of ten. He has been in karate for 7 years and for the last 2 of those years he has been an assistant instructor at Pak's Karate of Kingsland. Among Mr. Justin's accomplishments are being a part of the 2011 winning national demo team, Team Hwa Rang. He has competed in many tournaments and received his first degree black belt in 2009 and his second degree black belt in 2011. He plans on continuing his training after college and achieving his master's belt and possibly opening a Pak's Karate School.

Alexa Clifton – 3rd Degree Black Belt

Miss Alexa Clifton has been training under Masters Bryan and Carolyn Peeples for 10 years. She started taking classes in 2002 when she was 8 years old and recently promoted to 3rd degree black belt in February of 2012. She already knows the date that she will be testing for her 4th Degree Master's Belt - February 6th, 2016. Her dad, Mr. Dan Clifton, is also a 3rd degree black belt. When she was a blue belt she joined the SWAT team and developed an interest in weapons - the bo and nunchuks. She also began helping in junior belt classes as a SWAT team member. As she got older she stepped into more of a teaching role under Master Peeples & Mr. Billy Joe Tuttle. She is currently an instructor at the Fernandina Beach School. In addition, she has attended numerous Junior Instructor Seminars as well as several Educational Funding Company seminars in order to hone her teaching skills.

For the last several summers Miss Alexa has participated in the Summer Extreme Training Sessions at the Kingsland School in preparation for the annual UTF tournament. Not only was this one of the most challenging events Miss Alexa has done, but it has also greatly improved her sparring abilities. She has competed in every United Tang Soo Do National Tournament since she was a yellow belt. Miss Alexa and fellow black belt, Mr. Dustin Ray, represented the Fernandina Beach School by being a part of the 2011 National Demonstration Team Champions – Team Hwa Rang at the UTF National Tournament. Miss Alexa is actively pursuing a doctorate degree in physical therapy program at the University of North Florida.

Sue Roberts

Mrs. Roberts is a lifelong resident of Kingsland, Georgia. She is married to John Roberts. Her son Master Brett Roberts started at Pak's Karate in 1998 at age 4. AT the time she was a 14 year employee of Crooked River Elementary School. As Brett progressed in his martial arts she found herself volunteering and spending more time at Pak's eventually becoming employed by Pak's Karate in 2005. She is now the office manager for Pak's Karate and After School Program. She loves her job and the staff that she works with.