Internationally Certified
Roku Dan (6th Degree Black
Belt)
Born June 4, 1959 in Memphis, Tennessee and
raised in Pontotoc, Mississippi, his first
introduction to martial arts was in 1977 at
age 18 with friends in a backyard “dojo”.
The next year he studied with a Tan Sui
instructor. In 1979 at the University of
Mississippi, he joined the Ole Miss
Isshinryu Karate Club- a traditional
Okinawan style of kara-te,
literally “empty hands” and Kobudo, ancient
weapons art. Serving as treasurer,
vice-president, and president, he earned his
Shodan on July 9, 1982 and was head
instructor of the Ole Miss Club from
1982-1990. This was also his introduction to
Arcenio J. Advincula sensei, a first
generation student of the styles founder
Tatsuo Shimabuku. Advincula had just retired
from the United States Marine Corps and was
teaching seminars around the country.
At this time, Mr. Holley met and trained
with Modern Arnis Filipino stick/
knife-fighting system founder Remy Presas,
participating in three seminars over 2
years. In 1984 he began his study of ACE
Escrima, a largo mano system under guru
Advincula and served as “uke” (demonstration
assistant) from then to the present time.
From 1984-1990 Holley earned his Nidan and
Sandan in karate and served on the Board of
Directors for the Mississippi Karate
Association as its youngest member and
tournament producer (6 tournaments). In 1988
after his primary instructor left the state
Holley asked Advincula sensei to be his
sensei and was accepted. At Advincula’s
request, Mr. Holley trained the Ole Miss
Rebel Football team in Body Mechanics in
1991.
That year, a new job took the Holley family
to Conway, AR, where over the next few years
he studied several different styles
including Aiki Kai aikido, USJA Judo and
jujutsu, Chinese Kenpo and Brazilian
jui-jitsu. He opened Conway Karate in 1994
and in 1996 attended the first Shinkendo and
Aikibujutsu seminar featuring Obata
Toshishiro, a talented martial artist of
Samarai lineage. Lonnie Oakes of Tupelo,
Mississippi’s Kaza Yama Dojo, hosted the
event and became Holley sensei’s instructor.
Holley would make the 4 ½ hour drive one way
on Saturdays and make copious notes and
videos. After Oakes sensei left the area
Randy Beard of Springdale, Arkansas, stepped
in as instructor/ advisor for the Arkansas
dojos.
Currently Mr. Holley lives in Greenbrier,
Arkansas with his wife and two daughters and
operates Conway Karate/ Jujutsu Dojo located
at 2415 Donaghey Avenue in Conway. Classes
offered include instruction in Isshinryu
Karate, Ryu Kyu Kobudo, Shinkendo and
Toyama-Ryu, Japanese swordsmanship, ACE
Escrima and Aikibujutsu. Master Holley holds
various Black Belt ranks in these arts as
well as USJA Jujutsu, and a Brown Belt in
Judo.
