Darren Tanner

December 18, 1964 - November 30, 2001

Darren was my teacher and one of my best friends. I began my Bujinkan training in 1985 with Jaime Garcia. Jaime introduced me to Darren. Jaime and Darren were both students at Texas Tech University, and were both really just beginning their journey into budo as well. Darren was a classical western fencer, specializing in foil and epee. He also studied kendo while at Texas Tech.

Jaime moved to Dallas shortly after I started training, while Darren remained in Lubbock. Darren would travel to Dallas often, where he was introduced to Chuck Dervenis, who would eventually become his teacher. Darren also traveled around the State of Texas attending various Bujinkan seminars. I trained in Lubbock with Darren until June of 1988, when I enlisted in the Marine Corps. The next time I saw Darren was at a seminar that I put together along with Robert Abila in Hawaii. Darren was transiting Hawaii on his way to Guam, where he opened a business with his wife, Sonya.

In 1990 I went to Guam to visit for week or so. I was able to train with Darren every day during that time, and at the end he promoted me to black belt. Darren and Sonya came to Hawaii due to a medical condition in their son, Kyle. Darren managed to teach us some then even though his mind was certainly on his child. Unfortunately Kyle passed away. Darren and Sonya returned to Guam to continue their business. The last time I saw Darren was at the Guam airport when I had a layover there returning to Hawaii from a deployment to Okinawa in 1992.

Darren was a great teacher. He was always ready to teach and he was very patient with a young, untalented little ninja wannabe. I learned many valuable lessons just listening to him. I treasure the few video's I have of training with him.

"The main reason for our training is to find and eliminate our own suki." - Darren Tanner, February, 1990.

Rest in peace brother. You are sorely missed by all who had the honor of knowing you, training with you, and calling you friend.

Darren touched many people's lives as a teacher and friend. My good friend Kelly Leighton, Shidoshi, was one of them. He has created a memorial page to Darren here as well as a page of some pics of our training in Hawaii, some with Darren, here. My heartfelt thanks to Kelly-sensei for allowing me link to the photos.