Kaz Kusube

In Loving Memory of Master Kaz Kusube (Shihan)

December 24, 1948 – July 22, 2025

Master Kaz Kusube, revered Karate instructor and lifelong scholar, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, in Lakewood, Colorado, surrounded by devoted friends, family, and students. He was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1948, in Fukuoka, Japan—a city renowned for its rich culinary heritage and situated on the northern coast of Kyushu Island.

Kaz was the beloved son of the late Kazufumi Kusube and is survived by his mother, Sachiyo Kusube. He was preceded in death by his sister Kazuyo Yahagi. He is also survived by his sister Miyuki Nagayama, his nephews Makoto Nagayama and Daiji Nagayama, and his nieces Asako Kodama and Fumiko Kono.

In the 1960s, Kaz immigrated to the United States, where he pursued higher education and earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University. His intellectual curiosity never waned, and he remained a dedicated student and teacher throughout his life.

A master of Okinawan-style Genwakai Karate, Kaz embodied the principles of budo—the warrior’s path. In 1977, he founded Karate Do Kan, a school that continues to thrive today. His teachings emphasized powerful combat techniques rooted in tradition, with a deep focus on the integration of body, mind and spirit. In recognition of his mastery and lifelong dedication, he was honored with the title of Shihan (master) in 1987.

Kaz Kusube lived as he trained—with unwavering discipline, profound humility, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He embodied the highest ideals of character and commitment, inspiring all who had the privilege to know him. His presence was a masterclass in grace and grit, and his influence radiated far beyond the dojo. Kaz’s legacy endures not only through the countless lives he touched and the traditions he preserved, but also in the spirit of integrity and perseverance he instilled in others. He was a pillar of wisdom, a guardian of heritage, and a true exemplar of what it means to live with purpose, and constantly build those up around him.