Joseph was born in New Orleans, Louisiana 74 years ago. He lives in Waterloo, Iowa with Stage IV-B cancer that has metastasized to his bones, lymph nodes, and lungs, after being exposed to Agent Orange while serving his Country in Viet Nam during the 1960's. After diagnosis, he has fought for 21 years, most recently spending 18 months in Arizona, where he received advanced treatment, and had undergone a total of 45 Chemotherapy infusions.

He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he earned the rank of Sergeant before his 20^th birthday. Sergeant Philip was decorated with 13 ribbons and medals, including the Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star for valor in Viet Nam.

In spite his 21 year battle with cancer, Grand Master Philip's dedication to teaching the Traditional style of Chung do Kwan Tae Kwon-Do has produced an unprecedented 871 Distinguished Black Belts, including a Grand Master, 6 Senior Masters, 26 Master Instructors, and 368 Junior Black Belts. He is the only French Creole (African American) to become an International Tournament Official, Referee and Certified "Grand Master." From 1976 to 1990, he served as Chairman and Chief Instructor of the Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota Region of the American Chung do Kwan Tae Kwon-Do Association (ACTA). During his tenure, he was responsible for supervising 18 Instructors and presiding as Chief Testing Judge for more than 15,000 students, including 3,000 Black Belts.

Grand Master Philip began his career in Des Moines in 1969. After intensive training in Topeka, Kansas, SabBumNim return to Iowa in 1976 to become Chief Instructor of the UNI Tae Kwon-Do Club on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa, where he directed the Sport Club for 44 years. He is the only French Creole (African American) to achieve a ranking higher than the 3^rd Dan. In 2007, through the wisdom of the Korean Grand Masters, Joseph Philip, while a 7^th Dan, was respected with the title "KwanJangNim" (Head of Household), making him the only non Asian to hold that title. In 2020, he became the first non Asian 9^th Dan and Grand Master. For several years, he was a CPR and First Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross, and served on the Board of Directors of the Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts, the Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center, and the Black Hawk County Economic Development Board. He also served as Commandant of the Black Hawk Detachment of the Marine Corps League. In 2008, KwanJangNim was presented the Golden Dome Award, the highest award presented by an Iowa Governor to State employees. He is a general aviation pilot and member of the Disabled American Veterans, while holding a 100% disability rating. He is a contributor to UNI's Relay for Life, and St. Jude Children's Hospital.

GrandPaNim's family include his daughter Master Melissa, 4^th Dan (Yeah Daddy!), of Waterloo; Marchell of Waterloo, his Care Giver; Grand Daughters, Dynasia (Dillon), of Cedar Rapids, and Jallea (Evan), of Iowa City; his brother Gary (Patricia) of Upland, California; Aunt Celestine Boguille of San Diego, and a host of family. Loyal students, Grand Master Daniel Marr, 8^th Dan, (Christa); Senior Master Brian Gongol, 7^th Dan, (Sara);  Senior Master Jerel Krueger, 7^th Dan, (Christina); Senior Master Christopher Scherrer, 7^th Dan; Master Matthew Rector, 5^th Dan, (Abigail); and Master Aaron Reinecke, 4^th Dan. Special friend, Master Trenton Harem 5^th Dan, (Anna), his Mon ami', trusted advisor, best friend and care giver, and Jake, his cat. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna Mae, and Snagglepus, Junior, Popcorn, Frank, Trouble and MarMar, his long time cats.

KwanJangJim's funeral services will include a flag draped wooden casket, hand crafted by the Trappist Monks of New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, Iowa. Internment will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery (I 80 Van Meter exit) west of Des Moines, where he will receive full military grave-side honors.

A Veteran is someone who at one point in their life
wrote a blank check made payable
to the United States of America
for an amount up to,
and including
their life

1964 to 1969 -- United States Marine Corps

Booth Camp -- House Mouse, Squad Leader, Meritorious Promotion to Private First Class (E-2)
ITR -- Platoon Commander
Quantico -- ISO
Staging Battalion -- Platoon Guide
Viet Nam -- Meritorious Promotion to Sergeant (E-5) before 20^th Birthday, NCOIC Regimental Press Center
Kansas City, Des Moines -- PANCO

Rifle Sharpshooter Medal, Rifle Marksman Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon w/Star
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Ribbon w/Palm Devise & Gold Frame
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnamese Service Medal w/2 Stars
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal w/Silver Star
Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/Device
Honorable Discharge

A Grand Master is someone who has reached a pinnacle after
a life long journey of perseverance and dedication to
their discipline and to their students. Someone
who is honored and respected among the
elite Master Instructors
of the world

1969 to 2021 -- Chung do Kwan Tae Kwon-Do Master Instructor

1969 -- Have consistently placed 1^st in National Form Competition
1976 -- SabBumNim
1985 -- Master, International Judge, International Referee
1988 -- Master Instructor
1999 -- Served as a Judge at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs
2007 -- KwanJangNim
2010 -- 8^th Dan
2018 -- Dean of non Asian Grand Masters
2020 -- 9^th Dan

 

1990 to 2021 -- General Aviation Pilot

1990 -- 1^st Solo Flight (Piper Tomahawk N2507A)
1992 -- Check Ride (Airplane Single Engine Land)
1992 -- High Performance Endorsement
1992 -- FAA Pilot Proficiency Award (Wings) Program
1993 -- Instrument Training
1993 -- Multi Engine Training

 

Centuries ago the Arapahoe Indians, who lived
in a land known as Centennial, taught their
people that life is precious, and each day 
must be lived to its fullest, because,
"Only The Rocks Live Forever"

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

Eternal Father, grant, we pray
To all Marines, both night and day
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, Thy law fulfill
Be Thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps. Amen.

Unconditional Love Expect and Assumes Nothing
Yet Is Grateful For Everything



Looking Forward To Dancing With Jesus

So Be It

Eu

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