Nine days after his 86th birthday, one of my heroes since childhood, Chuck Norris, passed away.

He had been a martial artist since he was in the military in the late 1950s and maintained being a martial artist his whole life.

He was an instructor and ultimately formed Kickstart Kids, which has helped sooooooo many kids stay away from gangs and helped them become martial artists themselves, as well as better people.

He had no aspirations to be an actor, but with encouragement from friends like Bruce Lee and Steve McQueen, he took some acting classes, got some early bit roles, such as The Wrecking Crew, and most memorably in Bruce Lee’s movie Return Of The Dragon (AKA Way Of The Dragon), and ultimately became the star of his own movies.

Slaughter In San Francisco, Breaker! Breaker!, Good Guys Wear Black, A Force Of One, The Octagon, An Eye For An Eye, Forced Vengeance, Silent Rage, Missing In Action, Missing In Action 2: The Beginning, Braddock: Missing In Action III, Lone Wolf McQuade, Code Of Silence, Invasion U.S.A., Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos (5 episode animated series), The Delta Force and Delta Force 2, Hero And The Terror, Firewalker, The Hitman, Sidekicks, Top Dog, Hellbound, Forest Warrior, The President’s Man, The President’s Man-A Line In The Sand, Logan’s War, Bells Of Innocence, Dodgeball, The Cutter, The Expendables 2, Agent Recon, Zombie Plane.

He also became the star and title character of Cordell Walker in the 8-year series Walker Texas Ranger.

He wrote several books, including a few autobiographies and co-wrote some really cool western books (review here).

He even had his own brand of water (C-Force).

He had his own fighting organization for a while (UFAF).

He was a loving family man, very kind, humble, and gracious man.

Several years ago, I got a signed picture from Chuck in the mail, which I’ll forever cherish.

But for the last several years, Chuck attended many conventions, expos, and comic-cons. 

I got to meet him at three of these, the first being actually on his birthday, in 2018. 

I gave him a birthday card.  He signed my poster of him in The Expendables 2 and he told me how much fun he had making that movie. 

My cousin Zachary met him that day too and Chuck signed a DVD set for him. 

When I met Chuck the last time in 2022 (I just got my picture taken with him in 2019 also), he signed a DVD of his cartoon series Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos, again told me how much he loved doing The Expendables 2 because I told him I loved him in it so much.  The last thing he did was clutch both my hands and say “God bless you”.

Each time I met him, he was always happy and always had a huge smile.  He was very kind to everyone.  I can’t say he had a bad bone in his body.  I think he truly was one of the nicest people ever.

When I first read that he was in the hospital for an undisclosed medical emergency, I didn’t think much of it because the report said he was joking and was in good spirits.  But then I worried because he was 86 so it could have been anything.

I know he was always healthy, but again, he was 86.

But as sad as it is, he did so well in life. 

And he truly left his mark on a lot of people in the best of ways.

He was the ultimate role model.

I wish his family, friends, and fans all the best.

I’ll always love you Chuck.  And I’m glad I got to be in your presence.  Godspeed and God Bless.