Member News

June 25, 2008    

Frank Fullerton, Former USA Judo President and PJU Sports Director, Passes Away

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – USA Judo was saddened to learn that former USA Judo President Frank Fullerton (El Paso, Texas) passed away at Providence Hospital in El Paso, Texas on June 25. 

Visitation and a memorial service will be held on Thursday July 3 from noon - 2:30 p.m. at the Sunset Funeral Homes West, 480 N. Resler, El Paso, Texas, 79912. The funeral home can be reached at 915.587.4408.

"Frank Fullerton has been an icon of judo in the United States and was one of the greatest supporters of judo in the Americas. His passing is a loss to judo in the world,” said USA Judo President Dr. Ron Tripp (Norman, Okla.)  “I am personally saddened by his passing and call out to the American judo community to stop for a minute to recognize what Mr. Fullerton did for Judo in the United States, the Americas and the world. He helped so many athletes throughout his entire life. We are very thankful to Mr. Fullerton and the legacy that he built these years.”  

Fullerton, the Pan American Judo Union Sports Director, has been one of the most influential people in the international community for several decades.  During his distinguished career, Fullerton, a seventh-degree black belt and international referee, was the first president of USA Judo, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors and a delegate to the International Judo Federation.  Fullerton has received many honors for his work in the sport of judo, including his receipt of the John Osako, Henry Stone and Adrea Bregman Memorial Awards and recognition as the Black Belt Magazine Man of the Year.

In addition, Fullerton was named the 1976 Texas Man of the Year and was inducted into the PJU Hall of Fame in 2006.  Earlier that year, Dr. Fullerton received the New York Athletic Club's Lifetime Achievement Award.   

USA Judo will notify the judo community as further details are made available.