Gone, But Not Forgotten
Sensei Louie Slayton (RIP 2024, 83 Years Old)
Hikari Ryuza Bujutsu® & Danzan Ryu Jujutsu
Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)
I have had the honor of studying Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu® under Sr. Grandmaster Crimi since 2002. I started with the Nevada County Volunteer Sheriff classes and later enrolled in full time classes at the Hikari Ryuza Ryu Do Kan®. I can say that you are never too old to learn and participate in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu®. The friendships that I have gained are highly valued and will last a lifetime.
I received my Shodan/Black Belt in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu®/Danzan Ryu Jujitsu in January 2008 at the age of 66.
I live with my wife Marian of 46 years in Nevada City, California Where we enjoy our retirement since 2001. We like to travel with our 5th wheel across this great country of ours. We take great pleasure in our three Grandchildren Timothy, Connor and Grace.
I have had the privilege of being an assistant instructor in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Weaponless Defense® for law enforcement.
I hold an associate in arts degree from San Juaquin Delta College with high honors.
I retired from:
U.S. Navy with 23 years’ service.
Electrical Foreman Bureau of Reclamation for 30 years.
Director of facilities U. C. Davis for 13 years.
I am currently a volunteer with Nevada County Search and Rescue and a Senior Volunteer with the Nevada County Sheriff Department.
I have an electrical contractor license and enjoy working with my son in his general contracting business.
(Written in 2008)
Obituary:
April 4, 1941 – August 5, 2024
On the morning of August 5, 2024 Louie Slayton passed away after losing his battle with lung cancer.
Louie was born on April 13, 1941 in Sacramento, Ca to Donald and Gladys Slayton. At the age of 17 Louie enlisted in the Navy. He served on submarines in the 1960’s. After 9 years of active duty he returned to civilian life going to work for the Navel Shipyard in Vallejo, Ca He then worked for the US Bureau of Reclamation. He retired from the Federal Government and went to work for UC Davis. While working he went back into the Service as a Navel Reservist and retired with 22 years of military service. He retired from UC Davis in 2001.
Until recently, he enjoyed hobbies of golf, hiking and traveling in his fifth wheel with Marian. Louie was also a volunteer with the Nevada County Sheriffs Department for 22 years. It was during this time he pursed and achieved his status of black belt Jiu-jitsu at the age of 67, receiving his third degree black belt when he was 81. He was also a member of the US Submarine Service, Gold Country Base.
Louie is survived by his wife of 63 years Marian, his son Scott and wife Cynthia, daughter Theresa, his grandchildren, Timothy, Connor and Grace, great – grandchild Jaxton, his sister Jackie Siemion of Citrus Heights, Ca and her family, brother, Larry Slayton of Ione, Ca and his Family.
Those who touched our lives, stay in our hearts forever. Louie was dearly loved, and will be deeply missed. His life was a blessing and his memory a treasure.
Per his request, no service is planned and he will be interred in the National Cemetery in Dixon, Ca.
Mr. Murray Arnold (RIP 2024, 99 Years Old)
Hikari Ryuza Bujutsu® & Danzan Ryu Jujutsu
Kitei Shodan (Foundation Black Belt)
I was introduced to Martial Arts in 2000 through the Nevada County Sheriff’s Volunteer Self Defense program. Grandmaster Crimi’s leadership and instruction skills made it much more than a Self Defense class. It became a commitment to learn all I could about Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujitsu®. For the past nine years, I’ve had the pleasure and honor of studying under Grandmaster Crimi and his capable staff.
At my age, I never thought I would receive a Black Belt. However, on January 24, 2009, at 83 years young, I received my Kitei Shodan Black Belt in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujitsu®.
I was born in 1925 in Lancaster, Ohio. I enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and spent most of my tour of duty in the South Pacific aboard an aircraft carrier. I was discharged in Alameda after the war and liked California so much decided to make it my home.
I went to work for Pacific Telephone Company and worked all over the State of California. I retired as an Administrative Manager after 35 years service. In 1979, I was elected President of the Northern Counties Telephone Pioneers, a service organization for retired employees.
My wife, Marilyn, and I moved to Penn Valley in 1988. I was a member of the Nevada County Fire Safe Council, and am a current member of the Grass Valley Elks and the American Legion. I was a six year member with Nevada County Search and Rescue and have been a Nevada County Sheriffs Volunteer for nine years. I am a member of the Penn Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and am presently an Advisor/Director. I received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2007. I have been associated with the Penn Valley Rodeo since 1990. I’m one of the original members of the PVCRA and currently on the Board of Directors.
Marilyn and I have 2 children, 7 grand children and 3 great grand children.
(Written in 2008)
Grandmaster Lynch (RIP 2019, 68 Years Old)
Hanshi in Jujutsu through Hikari Ryuza Do Kan® & A.T.A.M.A.
Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt)
I have had the esteemed honor of being under the fine tutelage of Dr. Crimi since 1980 when I relocated to the Grass Valley area from Southern California. Dr. Crimi accepted me as his student at that time with the blessings of my former Sensei, the late Professor Theodore “Tony” Muran (a student of Professor Okazaki). Since then my alliance with Dr. Crimi has been an enriching experience. Though I have relocated to the East Coast, my spirit and heart are with him and his teachings. I try to emulate his vision through the course of my life and honor him through my continued study of the martial arts.
Though a humble man, he is the “Immortal Samurai” who lives the true life of a timeless warrior. His depth of knowledge and expertise in the martial arts and sciences is matched by very few – living and dead. Those who meet him are truly inspired by his persona and skill. I continue to learn from him even from afar and consider him my mentor and brother. It is indeed a privilege to acknowledge him as my “Sensei.”
With over 46 years in the martial arts, I currently hold the title of Professor in Danzan Ryu Jujutsu and was promoted to Hachidan, and title of Shihan, by Dr. Crimi in January 2000. I consider it a privilege to be the highest rank promoted under him to date. My training in the martial arts dates back to 1960, when I took up Kodokan Judo. Throughout the sixties I incorporated Shotokan Karate and Kawaishi Ryu Jujutsu to my training regimen.
Since that time, I have studied a variety of martial arts, to include, Hapkido, Tang Soo Do, Kempo Jujutsu, Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, and Kombatan Arnis. I hold advanced Black Belt rankings in those arts. I am a martial arts “Hall of Fame” inductee through several organizations.
I have over 35 years in Law Enforcement, corrections, security, and personal protection and am currently a Trainer for OMNISEC International Security Services, Inc. I am an internationally-recognized law enforcement master trainer and consultant through the Monadnock Police Training Council and Law Enforcement Training Consultants, LLC (PoliceInstructor.net), and have trained thousands of instructors and officers throughout the world since 1975. I serve as an Executive Board Member and Master Trainer with Law Enforcement Training Consultants, LLC I am certified as a Police Instructor in the States of California, Utah, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania, and have served as a faculty member at police academies throughout the country. I have an Associate degree in Police Science, a Baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Administration of Justice.
(Written in 2007)