Below is the Yowell Karate staff.

At the age of 5 years old, Jamie Yowell was given the choice of either ballet or martial arts.  Young Jamie, a fan of Saturday mornings Hong Kong Phooey "number one super guy" swiftly made the decision to put on a gi and leave the tutu for another day; a decision that in over 30 years of martial arts he has yet to regret. 

Jamie began his training in Frankfurt, Germany under Grand Master Robert Kincaid in the Art of Yung Ma Kwan Tae Kwon Do.  Belonging to a military family, Jamie would move frequently, attending various Tae Kwon Do schools until his family finally settled in Atlanta, Georgia.  While searching for a new school, Jamie and his father would stumble into a Tang Soo Do school teaching the "Chuck Norris System."  It is there he met his future instructor Mr. Duke Tirschel.  Mr. Tirschel agreed to take Jamie, if he was willing to start at white belt.  A tough decision for an 11 year old, but after viewing the schools in the area, Jamie knew he wanted to learn this style and this system.  Under Mr. Tirschel, Jamie was trained in Tang Soo Do by instructors such as Mr. Al Kilgore and Mr. Mike Dossette.  Jamie would earn his first degree black belt at the age of 14 in January of 1987.  From that time forward, Mr. Yowell would continue to study martial arts and weapons under various martial arts instructors.

Jamie has been a national champion in several organizations in forms, sparring and weapons.  He has ran schools in Europe and three different U.S. States.  Jamie has found that the most rewarding part of being a Black Belt and Martial Artist is in being able to pass on that knowledge to his students.

Jamie is currently a serving board member of the AKA's Southern Region, co-promoter of the Natural State Classic, Member of Team Illuzion, Team Cyclone, Team Elite and a member of the Elite Martial Arts Alliance.

Jim began his training in the martial arts in Atlanta, Georgia.  Initially, he took his son Jamie to lessons and soon become bored with simply watching.  Upon moving to Atlanta, he decided that he would enroll and join his son.  Jim soon found that all the years of observing martial arts classes paid huge dividends as he was able to keep up with his son Jamie, as both he and Jamie flew through the ranks skipping belt after belt.  With his son by his side, he would accomplish a feat few are able to do, by earning his first degree black belt in as little as 2 1/2 years.  (Normally, it takes about 4 years minimum).

Jim has run schools in Georgia and Germany and was instrumental in the design of the school's current Ranger Program.  On the AKA tournament circuit, Jim is respected as a fair head judge or referee, and most promoters defer to him in regards to events involving the 3-6 year old youngsters.

Currently, Jim is our schools chief instructor and teaches classes primarily on Tuesday's and Thursday nights.

Master Garrett was inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame in July 2005 and named Master of the Year in Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu.  This is Master Garrett's second Hall of Fame induction.  He was inducted in 2003 and named Jujitsu Instructor of the Year.

Master Buddy Garrett, Kocho Sensei, has opened a class in Kenjukido Kenpo Jujitsu self-defense at Yowell's Karate, 110 North First in Jacksonville, Arkansas, on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., and granted a charter to the school.  All student's that attend Yowell Karate are permitted at no extra charge to attend Master Garrett's classes.  If students enjoy it, they are encouraged to test and join Mr. Garrett's Federation.  For more information pertaining to Mr. Garrett's Federation and what he teaches, please visit his website at http://www.kenjukido.com/.

Master Garrett specializes in self-defense and his courses are ideally suited for everyone, but especially women and teenagers will find the material taught vital to help guard against attack.

Patrick is our newest Assistant Instructor. He began his martial arts training in Pirmasens Germany in 1991 under Master Jerry M. Page and was a member of the (then named) U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. After returning to the states, he was unable to find any local Tang Soo Do schools in the area where his family settled down. He tried a few various other styles, but was unable to find one that satisfied him.  Patrick then decided to just keep practicing what he had already learned so that if he did find a school to return to, he wouldn't be too far behind. Unfortunately, real life smacked him around for the next 16 years, so he was unable to return to a Do Jang for his continued martial arts training.... Until now!

Patrick is acquiring the knowledge needed to run a successful martial arts school. His friendly, fun loving and upbeat attitude is an added bonus to our little family.

Patrick's ultimate goal is to retire from the rat race and solely teach martial arts.

Kim is the marketing director and event coordinator for Yowell Karate.  Kim is invaluable in the planning of school events such as belting ceremonies, parties,  movie nights, lock ins and seminars.  She assists students with everything from monthly tuition to scheduling private appointments  She assists with with website updating and maintenance and often refers to herself as "School Photographer" as she captures all of the school's special moments on camera.  Kim also helps assist in our 3-6 year old Ranger Program and is a member of our adult program.  Kim wears many hats and is the glue that helps hold the school together. 

Tammy has become invaluable when things need to get done. Her hardcore approach to the tasks assigned her get results fast. Always one to volunteer, she has integrated herself with pretty much everything that occurs within the Dojang, to include being our Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce liason. Tammy's Martial Arts training actually began when she was a young child. Kempo was the first style she was introduced to. Her training under Professor Feliciano (Kimo) Ferreira earned her a 1st brown belt at the age of 12. Tammy is on the path to black belt as a member of our adult program.