In 1966, Glenn Keeney, Jerry Brown, Mr. Pickel, and Larry Davenport purchased the John Chambers Judo Academy. For a short time, the then Jundokan of Indiana was known as the Anderson Gojuryu Karate Club, but soon became the Komakai Academy of Judo and Karate, after Mr. Pickel picked the name out of a Japanese dictionary. Later the judo program was dropped and the dojo became the Komakai Academy of Karate.
Mr. Pickel joined the dojo to the USKA in 1966 and began attending tournaments.
Over the next four years, the other three sold their interest in the dojo to Mr. Keeney. Mr. Pickel was the first to sell in 1967. Mr. Pickel appointed Mr. Keeney as his successor and by 1969, Mr. Keeney became the sole owner of the Komakai.
There were several Komakai branch dojos, opened by Mr. Keeney's yudansha. I will list the dojos and their instructors, at times the instructors changed, I will also list those instructors as well.
Upland (Taylor University) Komakai (est 1968) - Mr. Dewight Jacobes
New Jersey Komakai (est 1970) - Mr. Dewight Jacobes
New Castel Komakai (est 1972)- Mr. Keeney, Mr. Larry Hoyel, Mr. Alan Goff, Mr. Paul Bridges
Alexandria Komakai (est 1974) - Mr. Keeney, Mr. Larry Davenport
Fairmount Komakai (est 1974)- Mr. Mike Cox
Franklin Komakai (est 1975)- Mr. John Connel, Mr. Ron Rollins, Mr. Ross Scott
Gas City Komakai (est 1977)- Mr. Curt Jones
Marion Komakai (est 1982)- Mr. Curt Jones, Mr. Mike Jones
Bern Komakai - Mr. Mike Cox
Atlanta Komakai - Mr. Paul Bridges, Mrs. Kim Bridges
Indianapolis Komakai (est 1992) - Mr. Curt Jones, Mr. Mike Jones
The dojo that began as the Jundokan of Indiana and ended as the Glenn Keeney's Komakai Academy of Karate in Anderson was the oldest continuously operated dojo in Indiana. Mr. Keeney retired and sold his dojo in 2004, ending a 40 year tradition. Komakai was a powerhouse dojo in competition, with several members in hall of fames and several state, national and world champions. Despite it's competitive records, the Komakai was also a traditional dojo following the old traditions.
Mr. Keeney has yudansha who operate dojos under their own names with his full blessing. Such as ours, Mr. Curt Jones in Marion and Mr. David Dobbs Eishinkan Houston.
Disclaimer: Mr. Keeney sold his dojo in 2004, the new owner federaly trademarked the name Komakai. I am not associated with this individual and my use of the term Komakai is used as historical reference only.