Lee Wedlake’s “Family Tree” of Black Belts
Current as of 6 November 2023
10th Degree
Graham Lelliott, CA (5/2023)
9th Degree
Gary Ellis, England (5-24-19)
Steven White, NH (6-15-19)
8th Degree
Kurt Barnhart, IL (6/2019)
7th Degree
Steve Hatfield, OH (7/2012)
Michael Wallace, GA (Deceased)
Bruce Meyer, SC (1/25/2020)
Lance Soares, MA (4/15/2023)
6th Degree
Brian Price, PA (5/2011)
Danny Sullivan – LA (5/27/23)
5th Degree
James Lowell, IL ,TN, CO
Ed Bilski, IL – Marc Shay, PA
Genie Byrd – FL (11/13) Thomas Kozitzky – Willich, Germany
Marc Sigle, Germany (10/14)
Ed Cabrera, FL (1/17) – Jack Nilon, Australia (8/17)
Nick Dreiling, SC – Bill Damewood, FL (8/21)
Sam Babikian, PA (9/22) – Jim Deery, PA (9/22)
Dan Helie, IL (5/23)
4th Degree
Jory Carson, IL(deceased)– Ken Herman, FL
Tim Walker, FL — Ingmar Johansson, Sweden
Jon Landin, IL — Pete Miragliotta, FL
Sean P. Kelley, FL – Mike Squatrito, FL*
Ray Kellison, MO (12/18) – Harrison Best, CO (9/21)
3rd Degree
Thomas McLennan, IL — William Roma, IL
Brad Scornavacco, CO — Steve Casamento, FL*
Jon Schenk, FL–Paul Meyer, SC
Larry Pate, FL — Jane West, FL
William Fields, FL — Manuel Rivera, IL
Barbara Barnhart, IL (9/09) – Keith Mathews, GA (6/10)
Carlos Weil, FL (11/13) – Peter Galvano, FL (12/2014) (Deceased)
Don Rushing, IL- Joe Cantele, IL (11/2023) – Ozzie Rivero, FL (IN), 11/2023
2nd Degree
John Frett, IL–David Henderson, IL (TX)
Jeff Meth, PA–Ken Miller, FL (Deceased)
Barry Polonitza, FL*–James Tucker, IL
Tony Velada, IL–Robert Brandt, FL
Richard Stone, FL (Deceased)
Frank C. Triolo, FL (Deceased) – Tim Hannahan, FL
Samuel West, FL – Charles Cockrill, FL
Rich Kozik, IL (Deceased) –Rich LePage, GA
Craig Brasher, FL — Brian Fox, IL
Matthew Walk, FL (1/2013) – Phil Buck, England (2004)
1st Degree
Ed Barr, IL (Deceased)–Paul Bergen, IL
H.Peter Boczar, IL (Hong Kong)
Deborah Colbacchini-Frank, IL(FL)–Richard Donah, IN
Joseph Kowalik, IL–Michael Lappin, IL
Ed Maul, IL(MI)–Joe Merritt, IL–Brian Muszynski, IL
Hamdie Razik, IL–Duane Shue, IL–Pete Theos, IL
Robert Weaver, IL–Michael Schumacher, IL
Gil Taillon, FL
Kariyann Smith, FL–Brad Congress, FL
Chad Dugan, FL–Steve Catapano, FL (NJ)
Jack Garris, FL–Valarie Hoffman, FL
Jeff Sackett, FL–Steve Abshire, OH
Renee Squatrito, FL – Wendy Pollack, FL (5/10)
Daniel Delenela, TX (12/15)
Other Black Belts Trained By
Lee Wedlake
Gil Hibben, KY–5th Degree
Robert Willis, WI–3rd Degree
Keith Wadsworth, FL–3rd Degree
Bill Long, CA/CO–2nd Degree
Ed Parker JR., CA–1st Degree
Gary Setzer, GA — 3rd degree (deceased)
Greg Schreffler, GA – 2nd degree
Felix Indest, LA – 2nd degree
Alex Collo, PA – 4th degree
Dawn Barberito, LA – 1st degree
Al Villacampa- 1st Degree
Rebecca Knight, AZ – 7th degree
Shawn Knight, AZ – 7th degree
Mike O’Handley, MA – 8th degree
Terry Ward, OH – 4th degree
Ranks are what they were when I worked with them
* Indicates the “ax has fallen” and they are cut off from our lineage, i.e. a dishonorable discharge