Eighth Degree Black Belt.
Founder of David Deaton Karate Studios
David Deaton was born September 4, 1947, and began his long study of Wado Ryu karate in 1965, at the age of 17, under the direct supervision of Cecil T. Patterson. Deaton first began teaching karate in 1968, then taught and organized the MTSU Karate Club/Team while completing an MBA degree at Middle Tennessee State University. After graduation, Deaton assisted MTSU in developing karate as an accredited physical education course and directed that program for nine years.
Deaton founded David Deaton Karate Studios in June, 1970 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He has been recognized for his leadership in teaching and in school operations by virtue of his appointments to the boards of directors for the U.S. Eastern Wado Ryu Federation, U.S. Martial Arts Centers and Educational Management Systems. He has been recognized by Who’s Who’s in the Martial Arts, and gained national recognition as one of the top tournament competitors.
In 1974, he won his first of ten, Tennessee State Championships. In 1981, he was voted the #1 Lightweight Fighting Competitor in the nation by Karate Illustrated Magazine and subsequently was featured on the cover of that national publication. The Tennessee House of Representatives adopted a resolution praising Deaton’s national recognition and contribution to MTSU and the communities of Murfreesboro and Hendersonville, Tennessee. In 1984, prior to his retirement from national competition, he captained the U.S. Karate Team in the International Wado Championship held in Tokyo, Japan and again was voted #1 by Karate Illustrated, this time in the Master’s Division for both forms and fighting. In 1998, on the NASKA competition circuit, Deaton was ranked #1 in forms, #3 in weapons, and #3 in fighting for the Fifty and over Black Belt World rating. In 1999, on the NASKA competition circuit, he was ranked #1 in fighting in the 50 and over Black Belt World rating.
In 2008 Mr. Deaton was awarded his eight degree black belt.
Deaton has been active in developing sport karate and hosted the nationally famous Southern American Championships Karate Tournament for many years. He helps karate schools throughout the country to develop professionalism. He also consults with instructors to help them improve their curriculum and instructor techniques. In addition, he is very active in the community through the local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International. He is also involved in fund-raising for Project Sparrow, a scholarship program for those less fortunate youth, who would benefit from the study of the martial arts, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society. He married his wife Linda, July 31, 1982. They reside in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and both remain very active in the promotion of the martial arts.
