We just received word from Ted Ehara of Chicago Ki-Akido of the passing of Jonathan (John) Eley, who died the morning of Tuesday, July 14 in a care facility from a heart attack.
Eley was one of the first non-Japanese members of the Illinois Aikido Club (as Chicago Aikikai was originally called). In February 1961, he responded to an invitation from founding member Norman Miyagi and visited the dojo’s first location at 3223 N. Clark Street for a Sunday class, and as he related in an interview, “I was converted.”
Eley remained with the Illinois Aikido Club until 1974, training under Chester Sasaki, Francis Takahashi, Isao Takahashi and Yoshihiko Hirata. When Koichi Tohei split from Hombu Dojo, Eley chose to follow him as a student of Tohei’s Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (The Ki Society).
In 1975, Eley organized the Chicago Ki Society at University of Chicago, and served as chief instructor of Chicago Ki Aikido until today.
Our condolences to all of Eley’s friends, family and students.
