Tim Tackett

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Tim Tackett got his first taste of the martial arts in 1954 in Judo, but didn't begin training seriously until he was stationed in Taiwan in 1962 while serving in the United States Air Force. On the recommendation of a friend, Tim began studying Kuo Shu six hours per day, six days per week. During his 3 years in Taiwan he learned two types of Hsing-i, Tai Chi, Northern and Southern Shaolin, White Crane, and Monkey boxing. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1966, he opened a Gung Fu school in Redlands, California while attending the University of California, Riverside.

Tim first saw Bruce Lee demonstrate Jeet Kune Do in 1967 at Ed Parker's tournament in Long Beach, California. Busy with college and supporting a family he closed his Gung Fu school and focused on his education. Soon after receiving his M.F.A. in 1970 Tim began a 30 year career as a high school drama teacher. Along with his first student Bob Chapman, Tim visited Dan Inosanto's backyard Jeet Kune Do school on the recommendation of Dan Lee. At that time the class consisted of about 10 students including Bob Bremer, Dan Lee, Richard Bustillo, Pete Jacobs and Jerry Poteet. His first visit to the class included sparring sessions with both Bob Bremer and Dan Lee.

In 1973 Tim was given the rank of Senior First by Dan Inosanto and was permitted to teach Jeet Kune Do to a small group of students. Having no desire to teach JKD publicly, Tim moved his most senior group of students to his garage in Redlands, California where he continues to hold classes every Wednesday night. Beginning around 1988, Tim Tackett and Larry Hartsell taught Jeet Kune Do at Vic Payne’s Great Smokey Mountain Martial Arts Camp every summer of it's existence.

Tim credits Bob Bremer, an original student of Bruce Lee with having a profound effect on the Jeet Kune Do being taught in his garage. After retiring, Bob began attending the Wednesday night class and provided a truly unique perspective on Bruce Lee's martial art.

To this day, the non-profit "Wednesday Night Group" still operates out of Tim's garage in Redlands, California. Tim has published many books and articles and is considered one of the world's foremost authorities on Jeet Kune Do.